Man Charged in 2024 Hyde Park Shooting Death Extradited from Iowa

Christopher Maxwell, 56, faces first-degree murder charges in the killing of Joseph Cook, 29, in Chicago's Nichols Park

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A man has been charged and extradited from Iowa in a 2024 shooting that left another man dead in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. Christopher Maxwell, 56, was arrested in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 29-year-old Joseph Cook in Nichols Park.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of gun violence and public safety in Chicago neighborhoods, as well as the importance of law enforcement cooperation across state lines to apprehend suspects and bring them to justice.

The details

According to police, on August 22, 2024, Maxwell and Cook got into a quarrel in Nichols Park. Maxwell then allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Cook in the neck, killing him. Maxwell was arrested in Iowa and has now been extradited to Chicago to face first-degree murder charges.

  • The shooting took place at 4:20 p.m. on Thursday, August 22, 2024.
  • Maxwell was arrested at noon on Monday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
  • Maxwell is due for a detention hearing in Cook County Criminal Court on Tuesday.

The players

Christopher Maxwell

A 56-year-old man who has been charged with first-degree murder in the 2024 shooting death of Joseph Cook in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

Joseph Cook

A 29-year-old man who was shot and killed by Christopher Maxwell in Nichols Park in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood in 2024.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Christopher Maxwell out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of gun violence and public safety in Chicago neighborhoods, as well as the importance of law enforcement cooperation across state lines to apprehend suspects and bring them to justice.