A man who Chicago police say fatally shot another man in a Rogers Park alley last year has finally been charged with murder, more than a year after the incident took place. 32-year-old Valgas Etheard was arrested by detectives as he was being released from the Lincoln Correctional Center, where he had been serving time for driving on a suspended license.
According to authorities, Etheard is believed to be the gunman who shot 31-year-old Terrell Fort in an alley behind the 2000 block of West Howard Street around 5:45 p.m. on September 5, 2024. Witnesses reported seeing a man calmly leaving the alley after the sound of gunshots, and responding officers found Fort deceased with a gunshot wound to the back of his head.
Interestingly, Etheard was actually detained by Evanston police about 30 minutes after the murder in the 7500 block of North Damen Avenue. Chicago police held him for investigation on an outstanding warrant, though no charges were initially filed. However, detectives continued their investigation, leading to Etheard’s recent arrest for the murder of Terrell Fort.
Etheard is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on Saturday, where prosecutors will present their evidence in the case. Prior to this incarceration, Etheard had been sentenced to prison four times for various offenses including gun-related crimes and narcotics offenses.
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The arrest of Valgas Etheard for the murder of Terrell Fort serves as a reminder of the tireless efforts of law enforcement to bring perpetrators of violent crimes to justice. The judicial process will now determine Etheard’s fate as he faces charges of murder in connection with this tragic incident.
