CHICAGO (CBS) — The man who shot and killed another man in Lincoln Park a week ago appeared at a detention hearing Friday after turning himself into authorities.
John Conway, 35, was charged with first-degree murder Thursday evening in the shooting death of Alexander Nesteruk, 34, on Clark Street, just south of Arlington Place, just before 4 p.m. on November 27.
Conway, a former Marine with a valid FOID and a concealed carry permit, claimed the victim harassed him and attempted to “karate kick” him in the chest before firing the fatal shot. Prosecutors called it a “shameless execution.”
Prosecutors said Nesteruk kicked cars into traffic and shouted obscene language earlier in the morning. The police had to remove him from the scene. But later that afternoon he returned and started harassing people on the sidewalks and businesses.
He approached Conway on the sidewalk and tried to give him an “air kick” but missed. Conway’s attorney said he kept pushing Nesteruk away, but he kept coming back. At that moment, Conway fired a single shot at Nesteruk. He fell to the ground and after a few seconds Conway turned and walked away from the scene. He continued with his day and went to his local gym for an hour.
Nesteruk died of his injuries on December 2. Surveillance images of the suspectlater identified as Conway, were released the next day. Police said Conway turned himself in Thursday evening.
Several people also identified Conway as the man in the photos. While executing a search warrant at his nearby home, police found many more weapons, including three additional handguns, a sniper rifle with a scope and bi-pod stand, multiple types of ammunition for an AR-15, ballistic armor and night vision equipment.
Police also found a cellphone jammer, a map of a neighborhood with x’s marking certain locations, and a map of Illinois with several colleges circled. There was also a written document with derogatory language and notes describing “a plan to harm an unrelated individual.”
Conway’s attorney said all of these issues can be explained by his military history in the Marines, where he served from 2007 to 2011, when he was honorably discharged. He had a top-level security clearance and was deployed overseas.
The attorney said Conway feared for his life, but did not explain why Conway left the scene.
This is the first time he has ever been arrested.
The judge said she understood the possible self-defense arguments, but that the court would feel differently if he had called the police and told them he feared for his life.
Conway was ordered arrested. His next hearing is on December 26.
Megan Hickey
