Chicago police have arrested the man they believe fired the weapon that claimed the life of a Cook County judge.
On April 27, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said police had arrested Earl Wilson, 45, of Chicago, and prosecutors had authorized charges of first degree murder against Wilson in the shooting death of Cook County Associate Judge Raymond Myles.
Police said surveillance footage and information provided by people in the community led them to Wilson, a man police already considered at “high risk” of being involved in a shooting, either as a perpetrator or as a victim. Wilson had previously served time in prison for attempted murder, and since his release in 2004, has had frequent run-ins with law enforcement on charges related to stolen vehicles, domestic violence and gun possession.
Police said Wilson was arrested April 25 as he exited his home.
Police said they believe Myles, 66, was killed as he attempted to protect a female friend who was being attacked by Wilson as part of a targeted robbery attempt outside of the judge’s home on Chicago’s South Side shortly after 5 a.m. on April 10.
The woman was also shot in the incident, but survived. She has not yet been identified.
Police hinted they believe Wilson may have known the judge’s female friend in some way prior to the alleged incident, but Johnson declined to discuss “specifics” of the case at the time of the press conference announcing the arrest of Wilson.
Police had earlier arrested another man, identified as Joshua Smith, 37, in connection with the incident, saying he served as a getaway driver for Wilson.