Arthur Walker / Photo from Chicago Police
BY JORDAN OWEN
Sun-Times Media
A fourth person has been charged with murder after prosecutors claim he was part of a group that beat and fatally shot Martrell Ross outside a River North nightclub in August.
Cicero police arrested 23-year-old Arthur Walker Sunday and he was later charged with first-degree murder for his alleged role in the Aug. 3 shooting in the 800 block of North Orleans Street, authorities said.
Prosecutors said Walker was with Javon Almond, Deandre Hughes, and Bianca Young when they left the Bodi nightclub about 3:50 a.m. that day and found Martrell Ross and two acquaintances leaning against the group’s white car.
The nightclub had hosted a Lollapalooza after-party for rapper Nas, authorities said.
Young, 23, initiated an argument between the two groups that escalated into a fight and Ross, 32, got punched and knocked into the middle of the street, prosecutors said.
Almond, 17, Young and Walker fled in the car, but Hughes, 19, continued to taunt the rival group, prosecutors said.
The car came back to pick up Hughes, but instead of getting inside he opened the back door and remained there for a moment. Almond, Hughes and Walker then got out of the car with guns and chased Ross into a nearby alley, prosecutors said.
Walker allegedly fired at Ross until he fell to the ground, prosecutors said. Almond then went up to Ross as he lay in the alley and allegedly shot him numerous times.
Ross, of the 300 block of South Mozart Street, was shot eight times and died at the scene, authorities said.
Ross’ 21-year-old acquaintance ran to help, but Hughes hit him from behind then shot him the back, side, forearm and foot, prosecutors claim.
After the shootings, Young drove the car to a nearby Circle K gas station, where she picked up the three attackers.
The argument and fight were recorded on the club’s surveillance camera, prosecutors said. Police also recovered a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun with Almond’s palm print.
All four suspects were identified in a physical lineup, prosecutors said.
On Tuesday, Judge Peggy Chiampas ordered Walker, of the 100 block of North Mason Avenue, held without bond.
The three other defendants — Almond, Hughes, and Young — were arrested in August. Bond was denied for Almond and Hughes, and Young was ordered held on a $1 million bond.
Ross’ uncle, Curtis Gross Sr., said his nephew enjoyed rap music and dancing. Court records indicate Ross was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a 2000 attempted murder conviction and six years in prison for a 2007 drug conspiracy conviction.
— Contributing: Homicide Watch Chicago