Man Charged With Murder In 2025 Des Plaines Shooting

DES PLAINES, IL — More than a year after a 33-year-old Rosemont man was found shot to death inside an SUV in Des Plaines, police say a lengthy investigation has led to murder charges against a 36-year-old Des Plaines man.

Alexander J. Hoegner, 36, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the July 23, 2025, killing of Joseph Kalamaris, according to the Des Plaines Police Department.

Hoegner was taken into custody Tuesday at a gas station in Huntley and was scheduled to appear before a judge Wednesday at the Skokie Courthouse, police said.

The charges follow what police described as an extensive investigation involving forensic analysis and coordination with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Victim Found Inside SUV

Patch reported last year that officers were called at around 4:25 p.m. July 23, 2025, to the 900 block of North Avenue after Kalamaris was found inside a vehicle with a gunshot wound. Family members discovered him and called 911, according to police at the time.

RELATED: Man Found Shot Dead In Car In Possible Homicide — Des Plaines PD

Police now say Kalamaris was slumped over in the front passenger seat of a white Dodge Durango parked at 994 North Ave. and had been shot through the back.

Several spent cartridge casings were recovered from inside the vehicle, and evidence from the SUV was submitted to the Northeastern Illinois Regional Crime Laboratory for analysis, police said.

Police Detail What They Say Happened

Investigators eventually determined that Hoegner, Kalamaris and a third person had been traveling together in the Durango, according to police.

Kalamaris was seated in the front passenger seat, Hoegner was seated directly behind him and the third person was driving, police said.

While the vehicle was traveling through Des Plaines, investigators allege Hoegner fired a gun, fatally striking Kalamaris.

The driver then pulled over in the 500 block of South Bender Road, got out and fled, police said.

Investigators allege Hoegner moved into the driver's seat, drove the SUV to North Avenue and abandoned it there with Kalamaris still inside.

DNA, Firearms Testing Cited

Police said DNA evidence was recovered from both the Durango and a Glock 9mm fully automatic firearm recovered during the investigation.

Laboratory testing identified DNA on the gun that was consistent with Hoegner's DNA profile, according to police.

Firearms analysis also determined that spent cartridge casings recovered from inside the Durango had been fired from the recovered Glock, police said.

Police did not immediately provide additional information about when or where the firearm was recovered.

Earlier Person Of Interest Released

The homicide investigation drew additional attention last August when Des Plaines police identified a person of interest and attempted to stop him near Willow Road and Interstate 294 in Northbrook.

The driver fled at a high speed, and officers did not pursue, police said at the time. The vehicle was later found in Wheeling near Holmes Middle School, prompting a police search and requests for nearby residents to remain indoors.

A man was taken into custody that night but was released two days later without charges as the homicide investigation continued.

Police did not say in Wednesday's announcement whether that episode involved Hoegner.

Yearlong Investigation Leads To Charges

When Kalamaris was initially found, police described the death as a possible homicide and said the shooting appeared isolated with no threat to the public.

The case remained under investigation for more than a year before charges were announced.

Des Plaines police said the investigation included extensive forensic work and coordination with prosecutors before Hoegner was taken into custody.

RELATED: Person of Interest In Recent Homicide Released Following Manhunt: Des Plaines PD