Charges filed in deadly shooting of Chicago father on his way to work

CHICAGO - Chicago police announced charges Tuesday in the murder of a Chicago father who was shot and killed while he was heading to work last May in the Irving Woods neighborhood.

Divonte Calhoun, 32, and Justin Redmond, 41, were each charged with first-degree murder, murder - other forcible felony and armed robbery in the shooting death of 24-year-old Zet Rodriguez on May 10.

Zet Rodriguez, 24, was walking to a bus stop around 7 a.m., when he was shot in the chest by Calhoun who demanded money from him in the 3900 block of North Pittsburgh Avenue, according to police.

Surveillance video from a home showed Rodriguez being shot. He fell to the ground and the suspect rummaged through his pockets. The father then yelled for help, saying he had just been shot.

"A young lady across the street that heard the shots, came out and ran into action, she took her sweater off and tried to help him," said Ald. Nicholas Sposato (38th).

Rodriguez was transported to Loyoal Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. He is survived by his 6-month-old daughter and his partner.

Calhoun was seen on surveillance video getting into a vehicle that was driven by Redmond, police said. Detectives learned the vehicle was registered to a relative of Calhoun's. Calhoun was taken into custody later that same day. Detectives recovered Calhoun's cellphone and the car he was seen entering. 

Calhoun was released from custody without charges the next day as police continued to investigate.

"Calhoun's cellphone was a crucial piece of evidence as detectives were able to place Calhoun in the 3900 block of North Pittsburgh at the time the murder occurred," said Kevin Bruno, Deputy Chief of Detectives.

Data records from Redmond's phone also placed him at the scene of the shooting, police said. 

Calhoun was arrested Sunday in Gurnee while Redmond was taken into custody Monday in the 3500 block of North Oriole Avenue in Chicago.

Divonte Calhoun (left) and Justin Redmond | Chicago police

At the time of the shooting, Calhoun was on parole for armed robbery and Redmond was on parole for unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, police said.

Rodriguez worked as a crisis response counselor.