Rosemont Mall Shooting Victim Flashed Gun, Gang Signs, Prosecutors Say

Skokie IL

04 April, 2022

11:33 AM

Description

ROSEMONT, IL — A judge ordered the man accused of fatally shooting a Skokie resident and wounding a 15-year-old girl at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago mall in Rosemont last week held without bond ahead of trial. Jose G. Matias, 18, of Chicago, was arrested Wednesday and appeared in court for the first time Friday after Cook County prosecutors approved charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Prosecutors said Matias was at the mall with a group of seven friends when they walked by 20-year-old Joel Valdes, who was wearing a ski mask and flashing gang signs at one of Matias' group in particular. Another of Matias' companions later walked over to Valdes at a kiosk to let him know they were not in a gang, at which point Valdes pulled out a black handgun with a flashlight and laser sight attached, which was visible on mall surveillance video, according to Cook County State's Attorney's Office. Later, witnesses saw Valdes follow the person he had stared down into a hallway between the food court and the bathroom, according to prosecutors. Just before he was shot, Valdes was seen reaching into a bag by witnesses and on surveillance video, according to the state's attorney's office, but none of the witnesses who heard the gunfire saw Valdes with a gun in his hand at that moment. Prosecutors said surveillance footage shows Matias walk backwards out of the hallway where Valdes was confronting one of his friends, then pull out a handgun and fire at Valdes six times. Valdes was struck five times, with several bullets passing through him, according to prosecutors, who said at least one of those bullets struck a 15-year-old girl who had been walking to the bathroom with her mother. Earlier: Rosemont Mall Shooting Gunman In Custody, Police Say Jose G. Matias, 18, of Chicago, was ordered held without bond at Cook County Jail following an initial court appearance Friday, one week after he is accused of opening fire at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago mall in Rosemont. (Rosemont Department of Public Safety)