Antwan Elliott / Photo from Chicago Police
BY LEEANN SHELTON
Sun-Times Media
Antwan Elliott was ordered held without bond Tuesday after prosecutors claimed he fatally shot 16-year-old Giovanni Matos last week in the Portage Park neighborhood.
Matos was walking with two friends in the 5800 block of West Patterson Avenue when a vehicle pulled up about 1 p.m. March 15 and Elliot got out and asked the three about their gang affiliation, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors claimed Matos and his two acquaintances were gang members, and when they told Elliott their gang affiliations he opened fire on them.
Elliott continued shooting at the group even as they attempted to ran away, prosecutors said.
Matos, of the 5500 block of West Henderson Street, was shot in the head and back and died at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, authorities said.
One of Matos’ friends recognized Elliott, who prosecutors claimed is in a different gang, and gave police his nickname to police, prosecutors said.
The friend also recognized the defendant in a photo lineup, according to prosecutors who said officers recovered shell casings from the scene.
Giovanni Matos / Photo from Facebook
Officers arrested Elliott Saturday after they smelled marijuana and stopped the vehicle in which he was riding in the 2600 block of North Laramie Avenue, authorities said.
After the stop, Elliott attempted to run away, but police captured him and found a gun in his waistband, prosecutors said.
Elliott, 21, of the 1600 block of North Oak Park, was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a firearm without a valid FOID card, police said.
On Tuesday, Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. ordered held Elliott held without bond and issued a next court date of April 10.
He was ordered held without bond at a hearing Tuesday before Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr., Cook County state’s attorney’s office spokesman Stephen Campbell said.