Elgin police seek roommate in slaying
Elgin police believe an argument between two roommates resulted in the city's second murder of the year.
Authorities have issued a warrant for Jerimie L. Hoppe, 31, for the murder of Sumaly Phanthavong.
The 31-year-old Phanthavong was found dead at 11:48 a.m. Sunday at his apartment in the 500 block of Page Avenue on the city's east side.
Deputy Chief Jeff Swoboda said Phanthavong was shot three times - twice in the head - at about 7:30 a.m. that same morning. Police were notified a few hours later.
Swoboda said the two had an argument and the killing was not gang related. He did not know the source of the argument or how long Phanthavong lived with Hoppe, who is unemployed.
Police said Hoppe drives a red 1998 Ford Ranger pickup truck with an extended cab and Illinois license plate 83228R.
Police also believe Hoppe is armed because the murder weapon has not been recovered.
Hoppe has had several run-ins with the law, court records show.
In November 2001, he was arrested by Elgin police for driving under the influence, later convicted and sentenced to 10 days in jail and fined $800.
Four years earlier, he was arrested on charges of possession of alcohol, given three months probation and fined $350.
In 1995, he was twice arrested on charges of trespassing in Elgin. He was sentenced that September to 30 hours community service and 14 days in jail that November.
Police are asking people with information about Hoppe to call (847) 279-2700 or 911 if they see him driving.
Phanthavong's murder is the second in Elgin this year. The first was of Paola Rodriguez, a 22-year-old Rochelle woman who was shot and killed Jan. 30.
Manith "C.T" Vilayhong, 22, Tony Rosalez, 18, and Raul Perez-Gonzalez, 18, have been arrested and are charged in her slaying.
Daily Herald staff writer Josh Stockinger contributed to this report.
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