Matthew Jones, a 27-year-old man from Blue Island, IL, was tragically shot and killed on January 21, 2020. The incident occurred at a Shell gas station located at 11901 S. Western Ave., near the border between Blue Island and the Far South Side of Chicago. According to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office, Jones was shot multiple times and later pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.
The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.
The investigation into Matthew Jones' death revealed that the shooting was an isolated incident and not related to the business at the gas station. Blue Island police, along with the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services Unit and the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force, worked diligently to gather evidence and identify the suspect. On April 1, 2020, Frank Hunter, a 20-year-old man from Chicago, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Matthew Jones. Hunter was held without bail and was due back in court on May 20, 2020.
The arrest of Frank Hunter brought some closure to the case, but the tragic loss of Matthew Jones, a young man with his whole life ahead of him, left a lasting impact on the community of Blue Island. The investigation and subsequent arrest highlighted the collaborative efforts of local and state law enforcement agencies in bringing justice to the victim and his family.
