Woodridge police nab teen shooting suspect

Woodridge police arrested a teenager who authorities say is “the prime suspect” in a fatal shooting six months ago in southern Colorado.

The 17-year-old from Pueblo West, Colo., was being held Monday on a fugitive from justice charge at the DuPage County jail, authorities said. His bond was set at $1 million.

“We're happy to have this come to a partial close now,” said Laurie Kilpatrick, the public information officer with the Pueblo County sheriff's office.

Colorado authorities have been investigating the June 21 shooting death of Michael Hopkins in his Pueblo West home. The 50-year-old was killed during an attempted burglary, police said.

“At this point, we believe that our suspect went in to rob the home and was surprised by the homeowner,” Kilpatrick said.

Hopkins was shot twice in the chest sometime after midnight. Family members found him about 4:30 a.m.

Kilpatrick said police went through cell phone records and did more than 150 interviews before issuing an arrest warrant Friday for the 17-year-old.

“The evidence led us in the direction of this juvenile,” said Kilpatrick, adding the name of the suspect isn't being released because he hasn't yet been charged as an adult. In Colorado, anyone younger than 18 is considered a minor.

Woodridge police said they received a tip from authorities in Colorado that the teenager was in the area with his family visiting relatives for the holidays. He was arrested without incident about 8 a.m. Sunday at a hotel in Downers Grove.

Police say they believe they found the weapon that was used to commit the crime. The handgun, which originally was stolen out of a vehicle near Hopkins' home, changed hands “three or four times” since the slaying, Kilpatrick said.

She said authorities haven't ruled out the possibility other people were involved. But first, they want to interview the teenager.

“We do know that he is the prime suspect,” Kilpatrick said. “After speaking with him and talking with him, it may turn out that there are more people involved. We don't know, but we will let the evidence and our investigation lead us wherever it may go.”

In the meantime, it's not yet known if the teenager will fight extradition back to Colorado.

His next court hearing in DuPage is set for Jan. 11.