An Indiana man faces a homicide charge in Illinois after law enforcement officials say he shot and killed a worker in an Amazon fulfillment center parking lot following a brief confrontation.
Devonta Hodge, 33, is charged with one count of homicide in connection with the June 28 death of 26-year-old Dylan Perkins. The shooting took place just before 11 p.m. at the Amazon facility on Vollmer Road in Matteson, a suburb located about 30 miles south of Chicago.
Matteson Police Department officers dispatched to the scene found Perkins suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his torso. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
According to prosecutors, Hodge was working as a DoorDash delivery driver at the time, and Perkins was employed as a janitor at the fulfillment center. Court proceedings on Thursday revealed that Perkins was on a break with two co-workers when Hodge walked past them to make a delivery. Prosecutors stated that Perkins made “a joking comment about (Hodge’s) height.”
After completing the delivery, Hodge returned to the parking lot, where Perkins approached him. Investigators state that a physical altercation broke out, during which Hodge pushed Perkins away twice. Hodge then allegedly pulled out a firearm, shot Perkins multiple times, and fled the scene in a vehicle.
Surveillance cameras captured the entire interaction, allowing investigators to identify Hodge through his DoorDash delivery records. On June 30, Hodge traveled to the Matteson police station voluntarily to speak with detectives and was subsequently placed under arrest.
Court records show that while Hodge possesses a valid Firearm Owners Identification card, he does not hold a concealed carry permit. Prosecutors also noted during the hearing that Hodge has a prior conviction for the unlawful use of a weapon.
Cook County Judge Torrie Luciana Corbin ordered that Hodge remain detained at the Cook County Jail without bond pending his trial.
“This was a senseless killing,” Judge Corbin wrote in her detention order, adding that Hodge “demonstrated emotional immaturity in how to resolve conflicts.”
The judge’s order also stated that the defendant “attempted to avoid responsibility by returning the vehicle he was driving to the owner and lying and saying the vehicle was missing.”
Hodge is scheduled for his next court appearance on July 16.
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