Third Person Charged in Shopkeeper's Murder

A 23-year-old woman has been charged with fatally shooting shopkeeper Michael Norton during a robbery at his West Side convenience store last month, authorities said.

Kerry Masterson locked the door at Norton's Sweet Shop and then joined Elvin Payton in pushing the 55-year-old to the ground, taking his keys, tying him up and repeatedly demanding, "Where's the money?" in the May 14 slaying, Cook County Assistant State's Attorney George Canellis said.

It was Masterson who then pulled the trigger, shooting Norton in the back of the head, a police source said.

Masterson and Payton, 26, then left with two bags in a van driven by Beatrice Rosado, 24, Canellis said.

One bag allegedly contained several packs of cigarettes. Authorities said they didn't know what was in the other bag.

Masterson was ordered held without bail last week. She turned herself in a few days after Payton and Rosado were charged with first-degree murder. Rosado also was charged with battery.

The three had discussed robbing the shop before the Glen Ellyn man's murder, Canellis said.

Rosado, a mother of four, had been living with Payton -- the father of one of her children -- in Garfield Park, prosecutors said. Masterson apparently is a friend of the couple, Canellis said.

Payton is affiliated with the Spanish Cobras street gang, according to police. He has a criminal record, including burglary, drug possession and unlawful use of a weapon.

Read: Slain Store Owner Fought Off Robbers In The Past

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