Woman killed in Brickyard Mall shooting ID'd; husband charged with murder

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A 50-year-old man is charged with murder in the fatal shooting in the parking lot of the Brickyard Mall on Chicago's Northwest Side Wednesday morning.

Cook County officials identified the victim as Jennifer Hamilton, 47.

Chicago police charged her husband Alphonso Hamilton with first degree murder Thursday night. He is due in bond court Friday.

Chicago police said they believe the shooting was a domestic violence incident.

Chicago police said Alphonso Hamilton turned himself in to the Schiller Park Police Department before talking to detectives at the Chicago Police Department.

Jennifer Hamilton was outside a Target store in the 6500-block of West Diversey Avenue when she was shot multiple times at about 9:29 a.m.

Officers arrived to find her lying on the ground next to her white Jeep. The passenger door was open. She was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in serious condition, where she later died.

Jennifer Hamilton lived just across the street from the parking lot where she was killed. Neighbors said she was in the process of moving out.

"It's heartbreaking a woman was killed and we feel like it could've been prevented," said 36th Ward Ald. Gilbert Villegas. "It's tragic, because there were clues and hints this violence was occurring."

Hamilton worked as a mental health specialist at Cermak Hospital at the Cook County Jail. She was a steward for SEUI 73, and much beloved by her fellow members.

Her union president issued a statement, saying, "Our union is devastated over the tragic loss of our dear member and union steward Jennifer Hamilton... Jennifer had a sincere passion for her work in mental health. When you spoke with her, you understood her commitment to providing the best care possible for her patients, before and throughout the pandemic."

Domestic violence advocates said the pandemic has been responsible for an increase in domestic violence.

"During the pandemic we saw an increase of 30% in the demand for services as it relates to domestic violence because people were trapped in their homes," said Roxanne Nava of Metropolitan Family Services.

Investigators have not yet released the relationship between the victim and alleged shooter, but did tell ABC7 it appears the shooting may have been a domestic dispute.

Elected officials are using the newly passed state budget to try to stop other domestic violence crimes from happening, saying $70 million of that budget goes to outreach and education on the matter.

"We put in this historic level of investment because we know the need is out there," 3rd District Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado said.