Bridgeview man fatally shot by girlfriend's secret lover, both charged in murder plot, officials say

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team, Evelyn Holmes, and Christian Piekos WLS logo
Sunday, May 19, 2024
South suburban man murdered by girlfriend's secret lover, both charged
Arturo Cantu was allegedly killed by his girlfriend's secret lover in Bridgeview. Anthony Calderon and Agnieszka Rydzewski are charged in the murder.

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (WLS) -- A man and a woman have been charged in the shooting death of a Bridgeview father, authorities said on Saturday.

Anthony Calderon and Agnieszka Rydzewski are the suspects facing charges in the murder of Arturo Cantu. Calderon was in a secret relationship with Rydzewski, who was Cantu's girlfriend, prosecutors said.

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The shooting happened Wednesday morning near the corner of South Oketo Avenue and 79th Street, Bridgeview police said.

Cantu, 39, was walking to his car, which he had remote-started, outside his apartment when someone confronted him near the vehicle. Cantu was shot multiple times, police said.

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

Authorities 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.

A Bridgeview spokesperson said police charged Calderon, 20, with first-degree murder in the killing late Friday night. Video from nearby businesses helped police identify the suspect. Investigators found evidence Saturday that Rydzewski was involved in the murder plot.

Calderon appeared court on Saturday.

Prosecutors said the attack was premeditated, and Calderon allegedly targeted Cantu because he was in a secret relationship with the victim's girlfriend, Rydzewski.

Rydzewski was also charged in the murder later in the day on Saturday. She has been charged with solicitation to commit murder in connection with the homicide of Arturo Cantu, authorities said.

Calderon and Rydzewski both worked at a local McDonald's together, investigators said.

The new details come as Cantu's childen have been pleading for justice in their father's killing. An exact motive for the shooting was not immediately clear.

The victim's 10-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son told ABC7 Cantu was a great dad and was always helping people.

Both Cantu's ex-wife and his parents are trying to raise funds for his funeral.

Calderon is due back in court next week. Rydzewski will appear in court on Sunday.