'Justice For David Malito' Protest Calls For Firing 1 Particular Joliet Police Officer

JOLIET, IL — About two dozen people — including immediate family members of David Malito — gathered Monday evening at the Shell gas station on Larkin Avenue to criticize the Joliet Police Department in connection with their loved one's death on Christmas morning. Malito's death was ruled an accidental cocaine overdose by Will County's coroner. He was 39 years old.

Monday night's protest and prayer vigil included a "reading of our demands," notably, calling for the immediate termination of Officer Christopher Meza, now in his third full year with the Joliet Police Department. The protesters also called for an independent investigation into Malito's death and the release of all Joliet police body camera footage.

Attendees at the event included Nicole Lurry, the wife of Eric Lurry, who died in Joliet police custody in 2020, as well as Tycee Bell, a candidate on the ballot in the 2023 Joliet mayor's race. Karl Ferrell, former Joliet Township trustee, and Trista Graves Brown also helped organize Monday night's public demostration.

Malito's twin brother, along with his parents and other family, spoke with emotion during the event, imploring the Joliet police to do better.

Relatives sobbed as they suggested that Malito's death should have been prevented by the Joliet police officers who responded to the Shell gas station. Malito ran to the gas station during the early morning hours of Christmas, at around 4:25 a.m. Malito called for the police, claiming someone was chasing after him and trying to kill him, when no such person existed.

At one point at the Shell, Malito pulled away from Officer Meza near one of the parked police cars, and the two men tumbled to the pavement.

Several minutes later, when Malito became unconscious on the ground, Joliet officers deployed Narcan, and he was revived briefly. He died less than an hour later at St. Joe's hospital.

Monday's Shell gas station protest ended with a balloon release and chants of "Say his name! David Malito! Justice for David!"

Attendees were urged to attend Tuesday night's Joliet City Council to speak during the public comment section of the forum.

On Saturday, Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans issued the longest press release of his tenure, in regard to the Malito case and chief declared, "My officers face unpredictable and emotionally charged situations daily, and I support their unwavering commitment and courage to provide the highest quality of police services that this city expects and deserves. My officers respond to crimes, mental health emergencies, addiction crises, and unknown threats, often with incomplete information. These are the realities of modern policing, and those who wear the badge know they may face such challenges at any time. The video and forensic evidence in this case clearly indicate that my officers acted with compassion and urgency to assist Mr. Malito and try to save his life.

"While I welcome and expect a healthy dialogue from our community about incidents that my officers handle, these conversations should be rooted in fact. Making public comments without considering the full context of the evidence and disregarding the findings of an independent investigation is irresponsible and dangerous."