An argument outside a Waukegan Walgreens allegedly escalated into gunfire, and prosecutors say the woman accused later suggested her “twin sister” might have fired the weapon.
THE WORD
- Deon P. Doby, 54, faces four felony charges in Lake County.
- Prosecutors allege she fired toward a man outside Walgreens on October 6.
- Doby acknowledged possessing a gun but denied firing it, prosecutors said.
Doby, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, also known as Deon Doby-Williams, was charged with reckless discharge of a firearm and three counts of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon. She is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Police responded to the Walgreens at 2200 North Lewis Avenue after a report of shots fired. According to prosecutors, a witness described a woman arguing with a man before pointing a handgun toward him and firing.
Prosecutors said surveillance footage showed Doby and the man apparently arguing inside the store. Outside, she allegedly approached her vehicle before another exchange. A projectile was then seen striking the ground approximately five to seven feet from the man while Doby faced him.
Assistant State’s Attorney Patrick Windmoeller said the shot was directed toward Lewis Avenue during rush-hour traffic, with pedestrians and occupied vehicles nearby. Officers recovered a .45-caliber casing from the parking area.
A witness photographed the vehicle’s license plate, and Kenosha police later stopped a matching Toyota SUV. According to the criminal complaint described in the supplied reporting, officers recovered a loaded .45-caliber Glock pistol.
Prosecutors said Doby told police the man had insulted her appearance and approached her vehicle threateningly. She denied firing and suggested a twin sister, dressed like her, might have done so. Prosecutors argued that surveillance footage did not support that account.
The defense presented a picture of her background. Assistant Public Defender Gregg Wolpoff said she has 15 adult children, works cleaning houses, served in the Air Force and cares for her elderly mother. Prosecutors acknowledged she had no criminal background but requested pretrial detention, citing danger to the community.
A CRY FOR HELP OR A MENTAL BREAKDOWN?
While the motive appears to stem from a verbal altercation, the topic around mental stability comes to the forefront. It’s one thing to carry around a loaded weapon as you run errands, but to fire a weapon in a public setting seems extreme. Although Doby has no prominent criminal background, her actions raise questions.
Specifically, surrounding mental stability and social awareness. Reports show that mental illnesses continue to grow in the U.S. and globally. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported that over one in five U.S. adults, approximately 59.3 million adults, or 23.1% of the adult population, were living with a mental illness
Ultimately, Doby’s story about her “twin sister” shooting the weapon is not a diagnosis or confirmation of her mental status. Nonetheless, identifying when someone isn’t full comprehensive is one of the first signs of potential mental illness. As this case continues to unfold, the question of Doby’s sanity will ultimately decide her fate.
Conversation question: What community resources could help keep everyday disagreements from becoming dangerous confrontations?
Sources
