Full press conference: FBI announces $1 million reward in Chrys Carvajal murder case

[0:00] Good morning and thank you for joining us here today. My name is Gabrielle Schlenker and I serve [0:05] as the Public Affairs Officer for the FBI's Chicago Field Office. Thank you for your attendance. [0:11] Before we begin, I'd like to introduce the law enforcement representatives [0:15] and family members joining us today. FBI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Ryan Whalen, [0:22] Chief Kevin Bruno of the Bureau of Detectives for the Chicago Police Department, [0:27] Chief Chris Papiawanu of the Bureau of Counterterrorism, and Commander Patrick Kinney [0:34] of the Bureau of Detectives. We also have the family and loved ones of Chris Carvajal with us today, [0:40] Lourdes, Lara, and Jennifer Ramirez. In just a moment, SAC Whalen will provide an important [0:47] update related to the investigation into the murder of Chris Carvajal. Following his remarks, [0:53] we'll open the floor for a brief question and answer period. With that, I'd like to turn it over to SAC [0:58] Whalen. Thank you, Gabrielle. Good morning and thank you for being here. Today, we are announcing [1:10] that Joseph Matos, aka Troubles, is being added to the FBI's top 10 most wanted list. He is wanted for [1:20] his alleged involvement in the senseless murder of National Guardsman Chris Carvajal. In addition to [1:27] being added to this notorious list, we are now announcing a reward of up to one million dollars [1:34] for information leading to the apprehension of Joseph Matos. This important announcement on behalf [1:41] of the FBI and our partners is crucial in seeking the public's assistance in finding this violent [1:47] criminal. What began as a joyous Fourth of July weekend celebrating Chris's graduation from basic [1:54] training on July 3rd, 2021. We allege that Joseph Matos and his associate shot and senselessly killed [2:03] Chris while he was walking to his car and then cowardly sped away. Chris had no criminal history [2:11] and no ties to any gang activity. He was gunned down simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. [2:21] That night, the life of a young man destined to serve and protect our country was extinguished. [2:28] He was a son, a brother, and a friend. His loss has left a hole in our community ever since. [2:36] I want to recognize Chris's family here with us today. Their enduring courage and strength [2:43] have been a driving force in our pursuit of justice. Immediately following the shooting, [2:49] the Chicago Police Department sprang into action and began an extensive hunt for the perpetrators. [2:55] CPD gathered evidence to identify Matos and his associate as suspects in the homicide. [3:00] I want to recognize the incredible efforts of the Chicago Police Department throughout this [3:06] investigation and in their unwavering partnership in combating violent crime in this city. Working [3:12] hand in hand in May 2024, an arrest warrant was issued for Matos in the U.S. District Court, [3:19] Northern District of Illinois, after he and his associate were charged with murder and aid of [3:24] racketeering, also known as a vicar murder. I would like to extend my personal appreciation to U.S. [3:32] Attorney Andrew Boudros and his team for their partnership in securing the successful indictment [3:37] for this unspeakable act of violence. In the days following the indictment, FBI Chicago SWAT, [3:44] with the assistance of local law enforcement, conducted two simultaneous SWAT operations to find Matos [3:50] and his associate, Gary Roberson. Roberson was apprehended and taken into custody without incident. [3:57] However, Matos was not, and our pursuit of him has been relentless ever since. [4:04] Our commitment to crushing violent crime has never been stronger. The full weight of the FBI and our [4:11] prosecutorial partners are dedicated to going after the drivers of violence in our communities. [4:16] With today's announcement, we are asking the public to carefully review Matos's wanted poster. This [4:24] heavily tattooed 44-year-old Hispanic male is hard to miss. Though he's been on the run and his [4:30] appearance may have changed slightly, you cannot mistake his prominent tattoos, which include M-Town [4:37] Kings on the right side of his neck, the numbers 1-3-0-0 on the left side of his neck, Heaven Sent Hellbound [4:46] inscribed on his forearms, Move and Silence on his right hand, Trust No One on his left hand, and [4:55] Unironically, Most Wanted tattooed on his stomach. As his tattoo predicted, his face and description will [5:03] now be on every FBI-affiliated website and social media platform, and this case will be on every phone [5:10] around the world until he is caught. The FBI and our law enforcement partners are dedicated to safely [5:17] apprehending Matos, keeping our officers and the public safe and holding him accountable for his [5:22] crimes. Matos is the 544th fugitive to be added to the FBI's Most Wanted list. Our success in locating [5:30] fugitives is unmatched. Since the list's inception, the FBI has apprehended or located 504 of those [5:37] fugitives, a success rate of over 92%. Matos is believed to be armed and dangerous. He is believed to [5:45] be a high-ranking member of the Milwaukee Kings Street Gang. The Milwaukee Kings are a criminal [5:50] organization whose members and associates have engaged in narcotics trafficking and committed [5:55] acts of violence, including murder and assault, to acquire and preserve the gang's perceived territory [6:02] on the north side of Chicago. As a persistent offender of the most violent offenses, his propensity [6:10] to inflict harm on our communities will not end until his capture. He is presumed to still be in the United [6:17] States. He has ties to Texas and California, but he is likely hiding close to home with criminal help [6:23] from his associates. To anyone who may be aiding in his not getting captured, you are committing [6:32] a serious federal offense and you will be held accountable. To the public, including those in his [6:39] close circle who may have additional information on his whereabouts, please contact the FBI immediately [6:45] at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at tips.fbi.gov. Your information can be submitted anonymously, [6:55] and your tip could be the missing piece that finally brings closure to this case and peace for Chris's [7:01] family. And to Joseph Matos, you cannot hide from the FBI. Whether you are close to home or in the [7:12] furthest corner of the world, the FBI's reach has no limits. Justice will find you. At this time, [7:20] I'd like to turn it over to the sister, Jennifer Ramirez. Hello, everyone. My name is Jennifer [7:41] Ramirez and I'm Chris Carvajal's sister. On behalf of my family, I want to thank everyone for being here [7:48] this morning and for standing with us as we continue to fight for justice for my brother. Today, I want to [7:55] share with you who Chris was, what he meant to our family, and why we will never stop fighting for him. Chris was [8:05] so much more than a name or a case. He was a loving son, a brother, a loyal friend, and a brave young [8:12] man with a beautiful heart and a purpose in this world. One of the most beautiful relationships in [8:22] Chris's life was the bond he shared with our mother. Their relationship grew stronger as he got older, [8:30] and their shared faith and love for God brought them even closer. Throughout his childhood, Chris dedicated [8:37] himself to serving his church as an altar server and lector. His faith was part of who he was, [8:46] and so was his desire to serve others. At just 19 years old, after much thought and prayer, [8:55] he chose to join the National Guard because he knew his life was about something greater than himself. [9:02] He believed in serving his community, and he wanted to make a difference and inspire young [9:07] people to find their purpose. We remember his wisdom, his compassion, and the advice he gave to [9:14] help others grow close to God. We also remember him as the life of the party, always making jokes, [9:22] dancing and singing to his favorite music, and bringing laughter wherever he went. Today, our family is left [9:31] missing missing the laughter, the hugs, and the love he gave that touched our hearts in ways that will never be forgotten. [9:38] We miss the conversations in the future we imagined he would have. We miss the moments we can no longer share. [9:47] And most of all, we wish we could have spent more birthdays, more holidays, and more memories together. [9:54] No family should have to live through this kind of pain. [10:01] No other innocent life should be taken by gun violence. [10:09] Nothing will ever bring my brother back, but justice would mean that his life matters, [10:15] that his story is heard, and that our families fight for the truth and accountability has not been in vain. [10:23] Today, we are asking you to stand with us. [10:26] Please share Chris' story and help keep his memory alive. [10:30] If you have any information that could help bring justice, please come forward. [10:36] We ask our community to speak out against gun violence and stand with families who are fighting for justice. [10:43] We want people to remember Chris, not only for how we lost him, but for how he lived. [10:50] We want his legacy to inspire young people to serve their communities, strengthen their faith, [10:57] become leaders, and always aspire for success. [11:01] At just 19 years old, my brother was already working towards a life of purpose. [11:07] We want that purpose to continue through the lives he touched and the people he inspired. [11:15] And to my brother Chris, we promise to keep your name alive. [11:20] We promise to honor your faith, your service, and your loving heart. [11:25] We promise to continue inspiring our community and our youth just as you wanted to. [11:32] Chris may no longer be here physically, but his purpose lives on in us. [11:39] His memory will always mean everything to us, and his legacy will never be forgotten. [11:45] Our family will never stop fighting for the justice Chris deserves. [11:50] Thank you. [11:56] Buenos dias, mi nombre es Lourdes Lara, y estoy aquí solo para enviar un mensaje a esta comunidad, [12:03] a esas personas que tienen información de este individuo, que hagan lo correcto, que declaren. [12:16] Ninguna familia, ninguna madre debe de pasar por esto de dar sepultura a un hijo. [12:28] Como dijo mi hija, nada de esto nos regresará a Chris, pero otras familias hay que prevenir. [12:39] Otros jóvenes tienen sueños, tienen metas como Cris las tenía. [12:44] Ellos se merecen un futuro, se merecen tener las oportunidades que Cris quería tener. [12:54] Como comunidad, como sociedad, tenemos la obligación moral de hacer valer nuestros principios morales. [13:04] Como sociedad queremos cambios, pero ¿qué nosotros hacemos para esos cambios? [13:10] Queremos un futuro para nuestros hijos, hagamos lo correcto. [13:15] No es fácil para una madre levantarse todos los días y extrañar a su hijo. [13:24] No es fácil para una familia levantarse y seguir, y sobre todo seguir buscando una justicia, [13:32] que tal vez no sea solo para Cris, sino para muchas víctimas que han sido víctimas de estos individuos. [13:41] Por favor, a esa comunidad, a esas personas, hagan lo correcto. [13:48] Esto trae esperanzas, esta actualización que las agencias han hecho el día de hoy traen esperanzas. [13:57] Y vamos a seguir cada día luchando por esa justicia. Gracias. [14:15] Thank you. We will now open the floor for questions. As you know, this remains an active investigation, [14:22] so there may be certain details that we are unable to discuss at this time. [14:27] We ask that you begin with one question so we can recognize as many media outlets as possible. [14:36] When you are recognized, please state your name, the organization you are with, [14:40] and to whom you are directing your inquiry. [14:42] With that, we'll take our first question. [14:44] It's hard for us to say what Matos was thinking or what made something easier for him or where [15:09] why he wasn't at the residence that we thought he was going to be at when we went to get him. [15:13] But the focus right now is we don't know where he is, and this is why we need the public's help. [15:17] And we think with the addition to adding his name to the top 10 list, we'll get the public's [15:22] hopefully attention and someone will come forth and help us in locating Matos. [15:26] Those are really good questions. I'm going to have to get back to you on that one. [15:38] The photos are from 2021. We believe that he has a receding hairline more recently. [15:46] These are the most accurate photos that we have to date with him. [15:50] You talked about all the work that has gone into finding him, [16:00] and also detail a little bit of the collaboration with Chicago Police. [16:04] Well, I mean, we've been working hand in hand with Chicago Police Department since the beginning [16:07] of this case, as we do with almost every case, especially ones that hit high profile. [16:11] Daily conversations, daily phone calls at all levels of both agencies. [16:16] I can tell you that this case has been worked extremely hard since the beginning of this case, [16:22] including, too, when he became a fugitive. And that involves all sorts of numerous [16:27] investigative techniques, interviews, analyzing any bit of evidence and looking for clues to try to [16:33] find his whereabouts. I don't want to get into the details of the specifics of why we think certain [16:51] things. Just from my experience, a lot of fugitives sometimes think they're going far away from home, [16:57] and they're not that far away from home. So that would just be kind of, I'll leave it at that, [17:01] based on my own experience of where fugitives go when they're on the run. [17:04] More question? [17:07] I think his current award amount was $50,000. Being added to the FBI's top 10 list is up to $1 million. [17:26] So I think that's the greatest, the greatest tool that we have is the monetary reward that comes with [17:30] it. In addition to just the notoriety, it will be on every FBI website. It'll be in every post office. [17:36] Anybody that follows any FBI social media around the world is going to be looking for this person. [17:43] Well, Chicago's about 3 million people, and it's a really large city, and there's a lot of [18:01] density in Chicago, and it can be difficult to find someone that doesn't want to be found. [18:05] And if he's being helped by somebody, that makes it even harder. And so, again, that's why we think [18:09] it's very important to bring him on this list to get that notoriety to ask the public, including those [18:15] in his close circle. This is really a plea to you. There's someone out there that knows where Matos is, [18:19] and there's someone out there that's probably helping them. Take this opportunity. Help us [18:26] take someone off the street that shouldn't still be out there and bring some closure to this family. [18:40] Absolutely. Aiding and abetting a federal fugitive is a serious federal offense, [18:44] and we will seek to prosecute anybody helping him to the fullest extent of the law.