Angelique Styles, a 60-year-old African American woman, died on October 24, 2013, in Chicago, IL, after being fatally shot by police officers during a domestic dispute. The incident occurred at her home on the 10900 block of South Eberhart Avenue. According to reports, Styles' brother called 911 when she began "tearing the house apart" and picked up a butcher knife. When officers arrived, they found Styles to be belligerent and acting violently.
Despite repeated demands to drop the knife, Styles allegedly raised it and lunged at the officers, prompting them to shoot her in self-defense. She was critically wounded and later pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.
The Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA) launched an investigation into the shooting, as is standard procedure in police-involved shootings. The investigation aimed to determine whether the officers' use of deadly force was justified. The police stated that Styles may have been under the influence of narcotics at the time of the incident, which could have contributed to her aggressive behavior. The IPRA's investigation was part of a broader effort to ensure accountability and transparency in cases involving police use of force.
No arrests were made in connection with Angelique Styles' death, as the officers involved were not charged with any wrongdoing. The case did not result in any criminal prosecutions or civil litigations against the officers. However, the incident did contribute to ongoing discussions and debates about police use of force, particularly in situations involving individuals with potential mental health or substance abuse issues. The shooting of Angelique Styles was one of several similar incidents in Chicago around that time, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement in handling volatile domestic disputes.
