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Driver Shot 2015 Murder Victim in Jaw, Prosecutors Say

 Cordero Collins, 28, is charged with first-degree murder and armed violence.
Cordero Collins, 28, is charged with first-degree murder and armed violence.
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DNAinfo; Chicago Police Department

COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A Chicago Lawn man has been charged in the June murder of Arkeem Shepherd.

Cordero Collins, 28, was arrested Sunday and charged with first-degree murder, armed violence, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and possession of a controlled substance.

According to prosecutors, Collins threatened Shepherd on June 10 before chasing him in a car and fatally shooting him in his jaw.

It all started near the Marquette Park Field House, where Collins "made a threatening statement" as he drove past Shepherd, Assistant State's Attorney Brian Whang said during a bond hearing Monday.

Shepherd was in a car with two other people at the time, prosecutors said, and Collins was driving in the opposite direction.

Collins soon turned around and began following the car carrying Shepherd, Whang noted. When that car stopped at a gas station near 63rd Street and Albany Avenue, Shepherd got out of the car and tried to cross the street, Whang said.

At that point, Collins, who was still driving his car, fired a single shot at Shepherd, prosecutors said. The bullet hit Shepherd's jaw, traveled to the left side of his neck and severed his carotid artery, according to Whang.

Shepherd was rushed in critical condition to Advocate Christ Masonic Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

Several witnesses identified Collins as the shooter, prosecutors said. When police arrested him Sunday, they found cocaine and a loaded .40 caliber handgun with 13 bullets inside his car, authorities said.

Cook County Judge Donald Panarese Jr. on Monday ordered Collins held in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Collins' defense attorney said Collins works at an auto shop.

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