Rosemont mall shooting suspect ID’d, as victim remembered: ‘His friends loved him’

Investigators stated a nationwide arrest warrant has been issued for Jose G. Matias, 18, of Chicago.

WATCH | Witnesses describe operating for canopy as photographs fired inside mall

Police stated the capturing seemed to be focused between the gunman and Joel Valdes, 20, who was shot on the mall and died on the hospital.

Claudia Miller Negron cannot make sense of her grandson’s homicide. The person, who she known as JoJo, felt extra like her son.

“He was with another person. They had been strolling round, I suppose procuring, and these individuals, whoever they had been, I do not know as a result of I do not acknowledge them as being a good friend or something, they had been following them” she stated. “They had been leaving, they usually confronted him and requested a few gang affiliation. He wasn’t in a gang.”

A 15-year-old woman, found inside a toilet close to the meals courtroom, was additionally shot within the wrist, police stated. Her situation has since stabilized. Police stated she was an harmless bystander who was not concerned within the battle between Matias and Valdes.

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Rosemont police stated the shooter received away in a maroon 2008 Hyundai with others inside.

One firearm was recovered from the scene and is being processed as proof, police stated.

The sound of gunfire despatched a whole lot of consumers scrambling for canopy till police escorted patrons and workers retailer by retailer.

Investigators keep the capturing was an remoted incident sparked by a struggle between the alleged gunman and Valdes.

“That is an excessive amount of – within the mall? Within the mall? His pals cherished him. He was so lovable, he had a very good coronary heart,” Negron stated. “JoJo was all the time there for us.”

Police stated for the time being Matias has been recognized because the lone gunman, and are asking for any ideas from the general public to trace him down. Police stated Matias is taken into account armed and harmful.