CHICAGO, IL — A newly released autopsy report reveals shocking details about the fatal shooting of 58-year-old Timothy Glaze, who was shot 16 times by two Chicago police officers on January 3, 2025, as he walked toward them carrying a knife. The incident, which occurred in the Little Village neighborhood, has sparked intense debate over the police response to mental health crises and the use of force by officers.
According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, Glaze was struck in the chest, abdomen, torso, thighs, buttocks, and arms. Toxicology reports also revealed alcohol and cocaine in his system at the time of his death. Glaze’s partner, Charlotta Pritchett, who had called 911 seeking help, expressed her disbelief, stating, “He didn’t deserve 16 shots.”
Pritchett, who had an active order of protection against Glaze, said she regretted calling 911 after Glaze, suffering from three types of cancer, began acting erratically while holding a knife. Pritchett explained that she feared for her safety and had taken refuge in a bedroom when she made the call. She also questioned why officers didn’t use a Taser instead of lethal force.
Glaze’s encounter with the police was captured on body cameras. The video shows Glaze emerging from the apartment door and raising the knife before both officers opened fire. Despite his injuries, they handcuffed him before calling for an ambulance.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) is currently investigating whether the officers’ actions were justified under the department’s use-of-force policy, which prioritizes de-escalation techniques and mandates lethal force only when an imminent threat is present. The investigation is ongoing, and the officers involved have returned to regular duty after a 30-day administrative leave.
Glaze’s family and Pritchett have criticized the police response, especially in light of Glaze’s mental health struggles. Pritchett expressed that Glaze was in a state of mental distress, exacerbated by his cancer diagnosis, and called for more empathetic handling of such situations.
This tragic incident highlights ongoing concerns about how law enforcement handles mental health crises, especially when a weapon is involved. The final determination on whether the officers followed proper procedures will depend on COPA’s investigation, which is expected to be completed soon.
