"This Is Not A Troubled Town"

"WESTCHESTER, IL — An off-duty Illinois State Police trooper has been charged with shooting a woman to death, then turning the gun on himself in a domestic attack early Sunday in Westchester, authorities said.

"Brian Himber, 31, of the 4100 block of North Central Avenue in Chicago, has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Tracy Mays, 29.

"Mays was shot at a home in the 10900 block of Nelson Street in the west suburb and was declared dead shortly after 1 a.m. at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

"The woman of from multiple gunshot wounds, according to the medical examiner's office. Police did not reveal the woman's hometown.

"After shooting the woman, police said, Himber tried to kill himself. Authorities say Himber was in critical condition at Loyola with at least one self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"State police say Himber is an Illinois state trooper who was off duty at the time. The trooper, hired in 2004, has been relieved of police powers, state police said.

"Authorities say they don't think Himber used his service weapon in the shooting.

"Police did not release further details, including the time of the shooting.

"Yellow police tape and two Westchester police vehicles blocked Nelson Street near the home Sunday afternoon. Neighbors said the incident is uncharacteristic of the area.

"Kathy Syregelas said she believes the family who lives at the home was hosting a graduation party Saturday night.

"`This is not a troubled town,` said Vito Burdi, who lives on Nelson Street."

From the Chicago Tribune...