Murder charges filed in fatal shooting near Cathedral

The father of a man who was shot and killed near the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus said his son died trying to help his sister, who he says was held against her will by the gunman.

Matthew Rutledge, 37, was charged with shooting and killing 38-year-old Quentin Woods on Friday on a sidewalk a block from the Joliet cathedral, according to a criminal complaint filed Tuesday in Will County Circuit Court.

Rutledge has also been charged with shooting and wounding 36-year-old Tiffany Williams while trying to kill her, according to the complaint.

Rutledge faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm.

Witnesses said they saw two men and a woman arguing on Sherwood Place near Raynor Avenue when one of the men pulled out a handgun and shot the other man and woman about 2 p.m. Friday.

The night of the killing, Joliet police Deputy Chief Darrell Gavin said Woods, Williams and Rutledge “knew each other” and they had a “disagreement that escalated into what happened.”

“They were familiar with each other, and they had a disagreement that turned deadly,” Gavin said.

Quentin Woods’ father, Michael Woods, said witnesses to the shooting told him there was a confrontation between Williams, who is his son’s sister, and Rutledge, and his son was contacted about it.

“He went to be of assistance to his sister when this guy opened fire on him,” Michael Woods said.

Michael Woods said it was his understanding that Williams was together with Rutledge in a car.

Michael Woods said Rutledge would not let Williams out of the vehicle.

Michael Woods went on to say that, to his knowledge, Rutledge and his son did not know each other. Michael Woods also said that he was unaware of any relationship between Williams and Rutledge.

Gavin said Quentin Woods was shot “multiple times” and Williams was shot once.

Williams was treated at AMITA Saint Joseph Medical Center, Gavin said.

Michael Woods was at the Will County Courthouse for Rutledge’s court appearance Tuesday.

“I’m just here to represent my son and I stand to represent my son and make sure justice is served,” he said.

Rutledge appeared on video broadcast from the Will County jail.

“Good afternoon, your honor,” he said to Judge Chrystel Gavlin.

Rutledge’s attorney, Chuck Bretz of Joliet, filed his appearance in the case Tuesday.

Bretz asked the judge to schedule a hearing for Friday on a motion to preserve all evidence in the case.

Bretz’s law firm also is representing Rutledge in another case, where he faces a misdemeanor charge of aggravated assault.

In that case, Rutledge is accused of pulling out a knife Oct. 20 and threatening a woman, according to court records. The alleged victim in that case is not Williams.

Rutledge filed an affidavit of assets and liabilities in the misdemeanor case. The affidavit showed he was married, has one child, was unemployed and was receiving food stamps.

Gavlin ordered the $2.5 million bond set for Rutledge at a Saturday morning court hearing to stand.

The judge asked Rutledge if he understood that he needed to post $250,000 for his release from jail.

“Yes, ma’am,” Rutledge said.

Gavlin ordered Rutledge to have no contact with the families of the victims if he is released from jail.