Family Remembers Man Shot By Police; GoFundMe Raises $8K

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — The family of Brian Howard, the 25-year-old Elgin man who was fatally shot by police in Buffalo Grove earlier this month, is remembering him as a "rock."

"Brian was everything and more," his older sister, Nicole 'Nikki' Howard, told the Pioneer Press, as reported by the Chicago Tribune. "He was my rock, he was my world, he was my protector, he was my best friend."

Just after midnight on Dec. 2, Howard called 911 regarding a man with a gun. He told dispatchers "there's a dude out there and he's acting all crazy," and that the person was armed with two handguns.

Eventually, he admitted that he was the person with the guns. When police arrived, Howard began to walk toward their vehicles while firing rounds from both of his weapons.

Howard ignored continued commands to stop, according to police, at which point one officer fired several rounds from his handgun. Those shots did not strike Howard. A second officer fired shots, which did strike him.

Though police attempted life-saving efforts, he died at the scene.

Related: Police Fatally Shoot Armed Man In Buffalo Grove

Nikki Howard believes her brother called 911 seeking help, she told the Pioneer Press, and she thinks police should have tried to de-escalate the situation and should have called someone who knew Brian.

She said her brother had struggled with mental health issues, the Chicago Tribune reported. He was getting better, she said, but factors including the death of a close friend began affecting him.

"Brian had been battling with depression and anxiety for far too long, but was taking proactive steps in bettering himself and was on the road to getting better," Nikki wrote in a GoFundMe. "He was working with a psychiatrist and a counselor and attended Elgin Community College where he recently graduated from — with honors. He was actively trying to be the best version of himself."

That GoFundMe, created to help cover funeral expenses and other costs associated with Howard's death, has raised $8,021 since its creation on Dec. 4.

Its goal is to raise $10,000, and any extra proceeds will help create a nonprofit in Howard's name, which will "speak and practice efforts to reduce death by mental illness and proper police interaction," according to the page.

The two officers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave per department policy. As of Dec. 19 they remain on leave while the Lake County Major Crime Task Force investigates their case, the Tribune reported.

Howard was a graduate of Buffalo Grove High School, according to his obituary, where he played football. The obituary said he was an Indycar fan who enjoyed spending time with his friends and playing football, beer pong and video games.

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