Boyfriend Charged In Shooting Death Of Palatine Woman: Police

PALATINE, IL — The boyfriend of a Palatine woman has been charged with first degree murder following her death in November from a gunshot wound to the head. Sergio E. Velasquez Fuentes, 43, of the 1700 block of N. Hicks Road, Palatine, was arrested Monday following an investigation into the Nov. 29, 2024, incident.

Fatima Lizeth Escalante Matamoros, 42, died after being taken to an area hospital following the shooting.

Police said Velasquez Fuentes will remain in custody until his next court date on Jan. 29. The Cook County State's Attorney's Office approved the charge.

According to police, at 11:26 p.m. Nov. 29, officers responded to a well-being check in the 1700 block of N. Hicks Road. Upon arrival, they found Escalante Matamoros with a single gunshot wound to the head, and she was taken to the hospital by the Palatine Fire Department, where she later succumbed to her injuries.

RELATED: Woman Dies From Gunshot Wound To Head In Palatine — Police

Immediately following the shooting, Palatine police identified Velasquez Fuentes, as a person of interest. Velasquez Fuentes fled the scene prior to responding officers' arrival, but was later located by Streamwood the next morning. He was turned over to Palatine detectives, who were investigating the shooting with assistance from the Major Case Assistance Team.

Velasquez Fuentes was released from police custody on Dec. 2 without charges pending further investigation, but remained a person of interest in the shooting. Palatine detectives continued their investigation into the shooting in collaboration with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.

On Dec. 13, police obtained an arrest warrant for Velasquez Fuentes for first degree murder and learned that he was in federal custody on an unrelated matter. Velasquez Fuentes was taken into custody by Palatine police detectives on Monday.