OAK PARK, Ill. — A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded Sunday afternoon in Oak Park when a 26-year-old man was shot and killed by his younger brother during what police describe as a domestic altercation. The fatal shooting happened around 1:47 p.m. inside a home in the 400 block of South Ridgeland Avenue, shocking the quiet residential neighborhood and leaving a family shattered.
According to officials, Oak Park police officers responded to the scene after receiving a 911 call reporting a shooting between two brothers. When they arrived, they found Anthony Brooks, 26, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Despite the efforts of emergency responders, Brooks was pronounced dead at the scene. His sudden death has left family members and neighbors heartbroken, struggling to comprehend how an argument between loved ones could end so tragically.
Investigators say the shooting began as a dispute between Anthony and his 23-year-old brother, who also lived in the home. According to reports, another family member at the residence told the younger brother to unload the firearm and leave it inside before stepping outside to calm tensions. Moments later, however, a gunshot rang out, cutting through the quiet afternoon and ending Anthony’s life. Police believe the weapon involved belonged to the family and are still determining how events escalated so quickly.
Neighbors described the area as peaceful and family-oriented, making the violence especially shocking. A nearby worker said he did not hear the gunfire but noticed a heavy police response moments later. “I saw several officers arrive quickly, and one of them took a long gun from his car,” he recalled. “They blocked off the area with tape and stayed for hours.” Officers worked well into the evening collecting evidence, photographing the scene, and speaking with witnesses to piece together the chain of events.
The 23-year-old brother was taken into custody without resistance and transported to the Oak Park Police Department for questioning. His name has not been publicly released, and police have not announced any formal charges. Authorities emphasized that this appears to be an isolated domestic incident and that there is no danger to the public.
In a statement, the Village of Oak Park extended condolences to the Brooks family, calling the situation “a devastating reminder of how quickly domestic conflicts can turn deadly.” As investigators continue their work, the community mourns the loss of a young man whose life ended far too soon — a tragedy that will linger in the hearts of all who knew him.
