A quiet Sunday afternoon in the 400‐block of South Ridgeland Avenue turned tragic when 26-year-old Anthony Brooks was fatally shot in his own home, following a domestic dispute with his younger brother. The incident, which unfolded around 1:47 p.m., has left a family and neighbourhood reeling.
According to a spokesperson for the Oak Park Police Department, officers arrived on the scene after receiving a call about a shooting involving two brothers inside that residence. When police entered, they found Anthony with an apparent gunshot wound to the head; despite the swift arrival of medics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The two brothers, aged 26 and 23 and residing together, were reportedly in the midst of a heated altercation when one picked up a firearm. A family member attempted to intervene—telling the younger brother to unload the weapon and leave it behind—but just moments later gunfire erupted. The younger brother was subsequently taken into custody without incident.
A witness working nearby described the scene: although he didn’t hear the shot, he saw police surround the block soon after, one officer carrying a long‐gun from a squad car. The crime scene tape remained in place for over six hours, enclosing the home while detectives combed for clues and evidence.
Authorities stressed that the incident appears to be an isolated domestic dispute, not indicative of broader danger to the public. Detectives continue to interview witnesses and piece together exactly what triggered the dispute that led to the fatal outcome.
The village of Oak Park, Illinois extended its condolences to the Brooks family while urging anyone with information to come forward. It remains a sharp reminder of how quickly a family conflict can escalate—and the irreparable consequences it can bring.
As the investigation continues in the coming days, the community is left to absorb the shock of loss and reflect on the urgent need for early intervention in domestic tensions before they turn deadly.