Man held without bail for murder in Humboldt Park

A 30-year-old man was ordered held without bail Monday for allegedly shooting and killing another man as he went to retrieve cigarettes from his car in Humboldt Park over the weekend.

A female witness told police she and alleged gunman, Robert Matthews, had been drinking in her apartment when the victim, Victor Hudson, knocked on her bedroom door early Saturday morning.

The witness “did not want to speak to” Hudson and sent him away, Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney James Murphy said.

Matthews, who went out for a stroll earlier, went out for a walk again after Hudson showed up and left, Murphy said.

Around 3:45 a.m. Saturday, Hudson went to check on an acquaintance at another apartment building at 1335 N. Kildare Ave., Murphy said.

The acquaintance, who had been involved in an unrelated battery incident, asked for a cigarette, which Hudson went to retrieve from his parked car, Murphy said.

Matthews confronted Hudson as he stood by his car and allegedly fired five times.

Hudson, 30, was found by police a few minutes later lying on the street outside of the apartment building on Kildare Avenue.

He suffered five gunshot wounds, including one through his skull, and was later pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Chicago police

Hudson’s acquaintance saw the shooting from the window, and the incident was also captured on surveillance video, Murphy said.

Around 4:20 a.m., police investigating the shooting saw Matthews “peering out” of a nearby alley and — recognizing him from the surveillance video — took him into custody, Murphy said.

Hudson’s acquaintance also identified Matthews, and a bullet found in the female witness’ bedroom dresser matched shell casings found at the scene of the crime, Murphy said.

Hudson was one of two killed and 31 wounded by shootings in Chicago this past weekend.

Matthews is a Roberto Clemente High School graduate, father of three and previously worked at a manufacturing warehouse, Assistant Public Defender Scott Kozicki said.

Matthews has been convicted of several prior felonies, including aggravated robbery and aggravated battery of a police officer, court records show.

Judge Arthur Willis set Matthews’ next court date for July 6.