The incident occurred shortly before sunset on June 9, 2022, in the 100 block of West Walnut Street. Hinsdale police had been alerted by Aurora authorities about a woman who had allegedly left the Aurora Country Club after an incident involving her vehicle. Police said she was also wanted on a DuPage County arrest warrant.

OFFICERS ARRIVE TO SERVE THE WARRANT

When the woman, identified as Shawn N. Mullarkey, arrived at her home, an officer was waiting for her. Police instructed her to get out of the vehicle because she was under arrest.

INSTEAD OF IMMEDIATELY COMPLYING, SHE REFUSED TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE AND CLOSED THE GARAGE DOOR WHILE OFFICERS WERE STILL INSIDE.

Additional officers arrived and attempted to remove her from the vehicle. According to the police report, Mullarkey resisted and repeatedly said she wanted to speak with her lawyer before being taken away.

THE ARREST TURNS INTO A STRUGGLE

Officers eventually managed to remove Mullarkey from the vehicle and place her in a police cruiser. But the situation did not end there.

Police said officers detected an odor of alcohol and she was subsequently charged with felony aggravated DUI, her third DUI violation. The report also stated that she had been driving with children in the vehicle.

WHEN OFFICERS ATTEMPTED TO GET HER BACK INTO THE POLICE VEHICLE, SHE RESISTED AND THE ENCOUNTER BECAME PHYSICAL.

At one point, officers attempted to remove an Apple Watch she was using. According to the police report, Mullarkey opened her mouth and moved toward an officer's hand or wrist in an apparent attempt to bite him.

BODYCAM FOOTAGE CAPTURES THE ENCOUNTER

The bodycam footage later released by the Hinsdale Police Department showed the arrest from the officers' perspective. The video attracted millions of views online, with the footage being circulated under the title “Angry Karen With a Warrant Tries to Bite Officer.”

After officers secured her, she was transported to the DuPage County Jail. Police also obtained a search warrant for blood and urine samples.

CHARGES FOLLOW THE ARREST

Mullarkey faced charges including aggravated DUI, aggravated assault on an officer, resisting or obstructing a police officer, and possession of alcohol by a driver.

In January 2024, Patch reported that Mullarkey had entered a plea agreement. She pleaded guilty to felony aggravated DUI and received probation for resisting an officer; prosecutors agreed to drop the aggravated-assault charge if she successfully completed the required program and complied with the terms.

WHAT BEGAN AS AN ARREST WARRANT SERVICE QUICKLY ESCALATED INTO A PHYSICAL STRUGGLE, WITH BODYCAM FOOTAGE DOCUMENTING THE OFFICERS' ATTEMPT TO TAKE THE SUSPECT INTO CUSTODY.