Rosemont mall shooting suspect arrested, police say; victim remembered: 'His friends loved him'

Jose G. Matias, 18, identified as gunman in fatal shooting at Fashion Outlets of Chicago, Rosemont Police Department says

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Thursday, March 31, 2022
Alleged Rosemont mall shooter in custody, police say
Alleged Fashion Outlets of Chicago shooter Jose Matias has been arrested, Rosemont police said Wednesday.

ROSEMONT, Ill. (WLS) -- Rosemont police said the alleged gunman in Friday's deadly shooting at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago has been taken into custody.

Police said Jose G. Matias, 18, of Chicago had been arrested as of 3:15 p.m. Wednesday.

He was taken into custody without incident, police said. Charges are pending.

WATCH | Witnesses describe running for cover as shots fired inside mall

Fashion Outlets of Chicago shoppers and employees describe running for cover after someone opened fire inside the Rosemont outlet mall.

Police said the shooting appeared to be targeted between the gunman and Joel Valdes, 20, who was shot at the mall and died at the hospital.

Claudia Miller Negron can't make sense of her grandson's murder. The man, who she called JoJo, felt more like her son.

Rosemont police have identified the gunman in Friday's deadly shooting at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago.

"He was with someone else. They were walking around, I guess shopping, and these people, whoever they were, I don't know because I don't recognize them as being a friend or anything, they were following them" she said. "They were leaving, and they confronted him and asked about a gang affiliation. He wasn't in a gang."

A 15-year-old girl, discovered inside a bathroom near the food court, was also shot in the wrist, police said. Her condition has since stabilized. Police said she was an innocent bystander who was not involved in the conflict between Matias and Valdes.

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Rosemont police said the shooter got away in a maroon 2008 Hyundai with others inside.

One firearm was recovered from the scene and is being processed as evidence, police said.

The sound of gunfire sent hundreds of shoppers scrambling for cover until police escorted patrons and employees store by store.

Investigators maintain the shooting was an isolated incident sparked by a fight between the alleged gunman and Valdes.

"His friends loved him. He was so lovable, he had a good heart," Negron said. "JoJo was always there for us."

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