A Naperville woman is behind bars after being charged with the murder of a 33-year-old man following a dispute at an Oakbrook Terrace hotel, authorities reported. Latrice Phillips, 51, was denied bail during her court appearance this Monday, with her next court date set for January 4, 2024.
On the fateful Saturday night around 8:15 p.m., Oakbrook Terrace police were summoned to the Hilton Suites following the ringing out of gunshots, according to a Chicago Tribune report. Upon their arrival, the officers discovered Calvin Truitt with critical gunshot wounds. Taken to the local hospital, Truitt was pronounced dead due to his injuries.
The incident allegedly stemmed from a verbal clash at the hotel's pool area between Phillips and a group that included the victim. Phillips is accused of having followed the group from the pool to the elevator, where the situation escalated. According to the authorities, a confrontation ensued on the seventh floor, during which Phillips allegedly drew a handgun and fired three times, hitting Truitt.
After the tragic incident, as reported by WLS, Phillips retreated to her hotel room and was apprehended by law enforcement without further trouble. At the time of her arrest, a Taurus 9mm handgun, which officers found holstered, was in Phillips' possession.
State’s Attorney Robert Berlin expressed his shock over the allegations, stressing that gun violence of any sort is intolerable in his jurisdiction and that those responsible "will be met with the full force of the law." Oakbrook Terrace Police Chief Casey Calvello also praised the prompt action of the responding officers. The hotel has since cooperated with law enforcement and reaffirmed its commitment to guest and staff safety, sharing in a statement that they are "deeply saddened" by the incident and their "immediate thoughts are with those affected by this distressing event."
