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Woman Dies After Police Encounter, Family Alleges Excessive Force
2 Jul
Summary
- Felicea Williams died after six months in a coma following an arrest.
- Family attorneys claim police used excessive force during the arrest.
- A lawsuit has been filed alleging officers failed to provide medical aid.
A woman has died six months after falling into a coma following an incident with Evanston police. Felicea Williams, 42, was arrested on January 5 near Howard Street, which divides Evanston from Chicago. Police responded to calls about two men assaulting another person, and officers found Williams involved in the incident, bleeding from the face.
During her attempted detention, Williams reportedly spat blood and saliva at an officer and resisted arrest, prompting officers to use force. She then became unresponsive and was taken to a hospital. Attorneys for Williams' family have filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court, alleging excessive force and a failure to provide medical attention. They contend she suffered a heart attack during the arrest, leading to her coma and eventual death.
The family's legal team stated their commitment to pursuing accountability and bringing all facts to light. The Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force was notified of the incident. Williams had been charged with aggravated battery to a police officer prior to her death.
