CHICAGO — The concealed carry holder who killed an erratic stranger on a Lincoln Park street last week had a trove of firearms, including a “sniper-like rifle,” inside his nearby condo, and a “multi-paged plan to harm an unrelated individual at a specific event,” prosecutors said Friday.
The stunning revelations came as prosecutors charged John Conway, 35, with murdering Alexander Nesteruk, 34, in the 2400 block of North Clark last Wednesday afternoon. Judge Caroline Glennon-Goodman detained Conway pending trial, saying items found in his home heightened his risk to the public.
In a proffer provided by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office, prosecutor Mike Pekara said Nesteruk had been acting erratically in the neighborhood, kicking at car doors and pestering passersby and businesses.
Video showed that Nesteruk made an “air kick” toward Conway as Conway walked down the street, according to Pekara. He said the kick did not hit Conway.
Both men came to a stop, standing “a full sidewalk square” apart, and Conway drew a gun from his right pocket, said Pekara. Conway allegedly raised the firearm and shot Nesteruk, who had backed up and had his hands at his sides, one time in the chest.
Conway watched as Nesteruk stumbled away and collapsed before “calmly turning around and walking at a steady pace” south on Clark Street, Pekara alleged. The entire shooting was caught on clear video, and some cameras caught images of Conway walking away as emergency vehicles responding to the shooting passed him with their lights activated, according to Pekara.
Nestruk died earlier this week.
About an hour after the shooting, Conway went to a nearby gym where he is a frequent patron.
CWBChicago reported earlier this week that a reader recognized the shooter as “a weird one” who “always keeps to himself. All black clothing, all the time.”
Based on video images, investigators determined that the gunman likely used a specific brand and model revolver, Pekara said. Federal agents found that Conway had purchased one of those revolvers in 2020, and police allegedly found a matching gun inside Conway’s condo last night.
After Chicago police released surveillance images of the shooting suspect, “several” people contacted investigators to identify the individual as someone they knew from local businesses and his condo building. Conway surrendered to police at the Belmont and Western facility around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, about eight hours after CPD released the photos. He immediately invoked his right to an attorney, according to a police report.
Detectives executed a search warrant at Conway’s home in the 2600 block of North Lakeview shortly before 7 p.m. Thursday. Pekara said they found the revolver, three additional handguns, “a sniper-type rifle with a scope and bi-pod stand,” and “multiple types of ammunition, including ammunition for an AR-15.” Notes found in the condo indicated Conway had zeroed in the rifle’s accuracy to 800 yards. Pekara also reported finding ballistic armor, night vision equipment, and a phone jammer.
Disturbingly, the police also found a map of Illinois with several colleges circled, a written document with “derogatory language,” and another detailed plan to kill an unnamed person at an event, Pekara said. The plan involved “notes detailing escape routes,” according to Pekara. He said police also found a map of an unnamed Chicago neighborhood with “X’s marking locations within that neighborhood.”
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