An Illinois man is facing first-degree murder charges after allegedly shooting his daughter-in-law in the head during a family wedding at a Schaumburg hotel, authorities say.
Police say 76-year-old Roland Schmidt of Stillman Valley confronted 45-year-old Christine Moyer outside the Marriott Hotel on North Martingale Road late Friday night. The two had just attended a family wedding when, according to investigators, Schmidt followed Moyer out of the event and shot her at close range near the hotel entrance.
Moyer, a resident of Galena, Ohio, was rushed to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, where she later died of her injuries.
According to Schaumburg police, Schmidt was upset over divorce papers Moyer had filed against his son. Investigators believe the shooting was premeditated, and prosecutors said Schmidt had been planning to kill Moyer for at least a week. Authorities also revealed he intended to take his own life afterward but was stopped at the scene.
Bystanders at the hotel tackled Schmidt immediately after the shooting and held him on the ground until police arrived. Officers recovered the firearm used in the killing and took Schmidt into custody on the scene.
At a bond hearing Monday, Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Ellen Mandeltort described the attack as an “execution in the presence of her own family.” She has requested that Schmidt be held without bail, which was granted.
Schmidt now remains in custody at the Cook County Jail. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 22.
The tragedy has shoced the Schaumburg community, and it’s obviously left Moyer’s family grappling with unimaginable grief in the wake of what should have been a joyful celebration. Police remain on the case, investigating the events leading up to the shooting.





