Homicide in DeKalb

On October 6, 2015 at 10:02 p.m. DeKalb Police Officers responded to 817 Pleasant Street in DeKalb in reference to a shooting. Upon officers’ arrival police located a male victim with a gunshot wound to the chest. The victim was transported to Kishwaukee Community Hospital and was pronounced dead at approximately 11:35 p.m. The victim is Matthew Clark, 23 years of age, from DeKalb, and previously from Bloomingdale.

DeKalb Police Officers began to interview witnesses at the scene. Information yielded from those interviews led officers to believe that Christopher Gerken was responsible for the shooting. His involvement was confirmed through investigative efforts.

Investigators learned that a witness to the shooting, Trevor Motsinger, had facilitated a drug transaction between the victim and Gerken. Furthermore, Motsinger knew Gerken was planning to rob the victim due to a prior drug transaction that Gerken was upset over. Motsinger observed that Gerken was armed with a handgun prior to being dropped off near the victim’s residence before the shooting.

After Gerken arrived at the victim’s residence, he confronted the victim and a struggle ensued. Gerken then shot the victim once in the chest and fled.

At approximately 6:50 a.m. the following morning (October 7th), DeKalb Police Officers observed Gerken traveling in a vehicle northbound on Peace Rd from I-88 in DeKalb. Gerken was alone in the vehicle. DeKalb Police Officers attempted to stop Gerken. Gerken refused to stop his vehicle and was pursued eastbound on State Route 38 into Kane County. Gerken eventually stopped his vehicle at the intersection of Routes 38/47 in Elburn where he surrendered at approximately 7:04 a.m. The Kane County Sheriff’s Department, St. Charles Police Department, and Elburn Police assisted in apprehending Gerken.

Both Motsinger and Gerken have been charged in this investigation.

1. Trevor D. Motsinger, of DeKalb, 25 years of age, was charged with First Degree Murder, Obstruction of Justice, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substances.

2. Christopher J. Gerken, of Sycamore, 25 years of age, was charged with First Degree Murder.