CHICAGO — A man awaiting trial for allegedly shooting at Chicago police officers while holding his ex and her son hostage last year is now accused of killing a woman in the days leading up to the incident.
Steven Wade, 44, has been in the Cook County Jail since March 2023 in connection with the hostage situation that was only resolved after a SWAT team raided his ex-girlfriend’s home.
During a bail hearing on March 2, 2023, prosecutors said Wade showed up unannounced at his ex’s home in the 12900 block of South Peoria on February 27 after not seeing her for several years. When the woman allowed him inside, she realized he was wearing a bulletproof vest and had “multiple bags,” prosecutors said.
The pair had a conversation at the kitchen table, but the woman became uncomfortable as Wade began speaking about his newfound religious beliefs, according to prosecutors. As a precaution, the woman called her friend so the friend could listen in on the conversation.
As the friend listened, Wade allegedly placed a gun on the kitchen table and claimed he had killed a security guard to get the gun and bulletproof vest. The friend immediately called 911, sending police to the home.
A sergeant tried to enter the home but retreated upon seeing a gun pointed around a corner inside the house, prosecutors said. Wade allegedly shot at officers who made a second entry attempt as Wade’s ex and her 21-year-old son barricaded themselves inside a bedroom closet. The cops fired back, but no injuries were reported.
As a SWAT team responded to the scene, Wade refused to let the woman and her son leave, prosecutors said. Communicating with a CPD commander through a loudspeaker, Wade threatened to kill a hostage and began counting down while firing twice at police, according to prosecutors.
SWAT officers entered the home and traded shots with Wade, who had retreated to a bedroom and used his ex-girlfriend as a human shield, officials said. Ultimately, the police rescued both hostages and took Wade into custody.
Prosecutors said Wade had three more guns in a nearby hallway, including two that could generate machine gun fire. He remains jailed on charges of attempted murder of peace officers, kidnapping, and other felonies.
Now, prosecutors have charged Wade with first-degree murder for the slaying of 58-year-old Bridgette Myles. Myles was found dead in her home in the 7200 block of South Jeffery several hours before Wade allegedly showed up at his ex’s home, according to police.
At first, investigators thought she suffered a head injury, but they later learned she had been shot in the head.
Detectives linked Wade to Myles’ murder through firearm evidence, fingerprints, and statements from witnesses, according to court records.
Judge William Fahy ordered him to remain in jail for Wade’s murder, which the judge called “a horrific act of violence.”
Wade was on bail for a pending felony aggravated fleeing case from DuPage County at the time of the murder and the SWAT standoff.
