Man shot, killed while getting into car in Bridgeview, police say

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (WLS) -- A 39-year-old Bridgeview man was shot and killed while getting into his car early Wednesday morning, police said.

The man remote started his car and was walking to it when he was confronted near the vehicle about 5 a.m. near the corner of South Oketo Avenue and 79th Street, Bridgeview police said.

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The man was shot multiple times, police said. His body was found on the easement in the area.

He lived in the apartment building at 7359 W. 79th St., police said.

Police identified the victim as Arturo Cantu, but have not yet identified a suspect.

South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force is assisting in this homicide investigation as Cantu's family is devastated. They told ABC7 the 39-year-old was a great dad and was always helping people.

"He was a hard working person and he had a lot of love," the victim's father, Arturo Cantu Sr., said.

Cantu Sr. recalled all the time they spent together.

"He would come over and play cards," Cantu Sr. said. "We would go out to the stores. We were real close."

Detectives were on the scene for hours Wednesday morning, processing evidence and speaking with the neighbors who may have witnessed the shooting.

"While I was asleep, I heard four pops," neighbor Jonathan Ruiz said. "You can tell it was not fireworks... 'boom boom boom boom.'"

Ruiz was on edge Wednesday morning, holding his blanketed 2-year-old son, after waking up to the sound of gunfire.

"Especially around here, it's so peaceful. None of that stuff really happens," Ruiz said. "It's a little concerning, especially with my son growing up."

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A neighbor told ABC7 he saw the victim take out garbage and then saw another man standing next to Cantu behind Cantu's car.

"I heard something at my door my window I run to see what's the sound, but no one is here," neighbor Mohamed Mohamed said. "I only see the lights on of the car."

Another neighbor told ABC7 he heard the shots then heard something at his window.

"I put the creamer in my coffee, stirring it, and all of a sudden I heard, 'boom boom boom boom...' four of them," neighbor Randy Peterson said.

Bridgeview Police Chief Ricardo Mancha said they don't yet know a motive in the shooting.
Mancha also said Cantu's girlfriend was inside the apartment at the time of the shooting, and the victim was found with a knife in his hand.

It's not clear if it was used in the confrontation.

"This is a rarity. I think this is our first shooting here in a year, over a year, if I'm not mistaken. So this is a rare occurrence," Mancha said.

Mancha also said the department plans to work with nearby businesses to see if the suspect was caught on camera during the shooting.

Oketo Avenue was briefly closed Wednesday morning while police investigated, but has since reopened.