Weddings are meant to be joyful and full of celebration, but a family gathering in Schaumburg, Illinois, ended in tragedy when a 76-year-old man shot and killed his daughter-in-law. Police say the suspect, Roland Schmidt, was upset about her decision to divorce his son. The shocking incident happened Friday night outside a wedding reception at a Marriott hotel.
What Happened at the Wedding in Schaumburg
Around 10:15 p.m. Friday, police officers responded to an emergency call at the Marriott on North Martingale Road, a hotel located in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg. They found a woman in the parking lot suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The victim, 45-year-old Christine Moyer from Ohio, was rushed to a nearby hospital but sadly died from her injuries.
Who Is the Suspect?
Police identified the shooter as Roland Schmidt, a 76-year-old man from Stillman Valley, Illinois, about 13 miles southwest of Rockford. According to police, Schmidt was also attending the wedding at the hotel. Investigators believe he followed Moyer outside as she was leaving and shot her because he was angry over divorce paperwork she had filed against his son.
Witnesses Describe the Chaos
Witness Flory Sommers told local media that she had just walked into the hotel with friends when the shooting occurred. “I was inside by the ATM and heard people shouting ‘gunshot!’ The manager confirmed it and said he was calling an ambulance. Then people started rushing to the elevators and lobby,” she recalled.
How Police Responded
Police say a citizen who was nearby managed to subdue Schmidt in the hotel’s parking lot. Officers arrived shortly afterward and took him into custody without further incident. They also recovered the handgun used in the shooting.
Charges and Court Date
Roland Schmidt is now facing a first-degree murder charge. He has been booked into the Cook County Jail and is scheduled to appear before a judge on Monday. Investigators say Schmidt’s motive appears to be connected to family conflict and his disapproval of his daughter-in-law’s decision to divorce his son.
Community in Shock
This tragic event has shocked the local community, especially given the nature of the occasion — a wedding meant to celebrate love and unity. Police have not released further details about the family or the wedding guests, and the investigation is still ongoing.
A celebration turned into heartbreak in Schaumburg, Illinois, when a family dispute ended in deadly gunfire. Roland Schmidt allegedly killed his daughter-in-law, Christine Moyer, because she planned to divorce his son. As the investigation continues, the community mourns a life lost and a joyful day destroyed by senseless violence. Schmidt remains in custody as he awaits his court appearance.
