Attorney killed in Northfield domestic shooting, suspect in custody

A partner at the Mayer Brown law firm was shot to death inside his north suburban Northfield home during a domestic incident Monday evening.

Stephen Shapiro, 72, was shot to death about 7:19 p.m. inside his house in the 200 block of Latrobe Avenue in Northfield, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office and a statement from the village of Northfield.

An autopsy Tuesday found Shapiro died of multiple gunshot wounds and his death was ruled a homicide, the medical examiner’s office said.

The suspect then left the scene and went to his apartment near Tower Road and Green Bay Road in Winnetka, officials said. Police established a perimeter around the building and took him into custody about 10:35 p.m.

The suspect was being interviewed Tuesday by the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force and charges were expected to be filed against him, village officials said.

Shapiro was a partner at the Mayer Brown law firm and was the founder and senior member of the firm’s Supreme Court and Appellate practice, according to the firm’s website.

“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Steve Shapiro, our friend and colleague,” Mayer Brown Director of Public Relations John Tuerck said in a statement. “Steve joined our firm in 1972 and was promoted to partner in 1978, becoming one of the most accomplished appellate lawyers in the United States. Our thoughts are with Steve’s family at this difficult time.”