North Side Man Accused of Murdering Acquaintance in Rogers Park Alley
A shocking crime unfolded in a Rogers Park alley as prosecutors allege that Valgas Etheard, a North Side man, murdered his long-time acquaintance, Terrell Fort. The incident took place on September 5, 2024, and Etheard was ordered detained on a count of first-degree murder by Judge John Hock.
Etheard and Fort, both 32 years old, had a history dating back to their teenage years. In July 2010, Fort reportedly shot Etheard, but charges were not pursued as Etheard chose not to press charges. Their paths crossed for the final time outside a restaurant near Howard Street and Damen Avenue.
Surveillance footage captured Etheard and Fort outside the restaurant, with Etheard following Fort into an alley behind the 2000 block of West Howard Street. The video footage showed Etheard raising his arm before Fort fell to the ground with a gunshot wound.
Witnesses reported hearing a single gunshot and seeing a man with dreadlocks, identified as Etheard, leaving the alley. Police found Fort with a gunshot wound to the head, along with a phone covered in blood that belonged to Etheard.
After the crime, Etheard went to his father’s house and claimed he lost his phone. He later returned to the murder scene while police were present, wearing the same clothes as seen in the video footage. Police found a bloody white shirt in his bag, which tested positive for gunshot residue and Fort’s DNA.
Etheard was initially released without charges but was arrested last week after serving time for a separate offense. He admitted to being in the alley with Fort but denied pulling the trigger.
This case highlights the tragic outcome of a long-standing acquaintance turning deadly, leaving authorities to piece together a disturbing crime scene in Rogers Park.
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