HIGHLAND PARK (WWJ) - A 26-year-old man has been charged with second degree murder in connection with the shooting death of his girlfriend, who cops found dead in an apartment hallway over the weekend.
Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced three charges against Michael Cortez Norris of Highland Park on Monday following his arrest on Saturday. He was arraigned on charges of second degree murder, carrying a firearm and tampering with evidence.
He is being held on a $500,000 cash bond with a GPS tether if released.
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Police were first notified around 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 12 of a shooting at an apartment complex at the 14200 block of 2nd Ave in Highland Park. When police arrived on scene, they found the victim -- 25-year-old Naomi Skinner -- deceased in the hallway on the fourth floor of the apartment building from a gunshot wound in her neck.
Authorities said Norris and his girlfriend had been arguing inside their apartment which led into a physical altercation. Police allege Norris grabbed a handgun and fired at Skinner, striking her in the neck and killing her.
Officers further allege that Norris moved Skinner's body out of the apartment and into the hallway before leaving the scene.
Norris was in police custody Saturday evening -- an investigation was ongoing through the weekend.
Norris is due back in court Feb. 22 at 9 a.m.