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Man Charged In Fatal University Village Shooting

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A 22-year-old man has been charged in the fatal shooting of a 62-year-old Vietnam veteran in the University Village neighborhood.

Kevin Mason, of the 1300 block of South Blue Island Avenue, was arrested after he was identified as the man who shot 62-year-old Robert Howard last month, police said. He has been charged with one count of first-degree murder.

Chief of Detectives Eugene Roy said Mason shot Howard in a dispute between neighbors.

Howard, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam, was found inside his home in the 1000 block of West Maxwell Street on Jan. 26. He had suffered a gunshot wound to the head, and was pronounced dead after he was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Police said Mason was arrested in Minnesota, and has been returned to Chicago to face charges in Howard's death.

Roy said Mason was twice convicted on gun charges, and was released from prison early on a three-year sentence that would have run until late this year.

"When convicted felons are caught with handguns, and they are sentenced to a term, and they end up doing less than half of that term, they take that as a clear signal that there are no repercussions," he said.

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Cmdr. William Dunn said Howard had adopted a service dog through Safe Humane Chicago.

"His dog was found, was still in the apartment, and between the officers and the detectives the dog was returned to Safe Humane Chicago, and the dog is still up for adoption," he said.

Roy said Howard had helped other veterans who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder train with service dogs.

Police Cmdr. William Dunn said Howard had adopted a service dog through Safe Humane Chicago, a program that helps veterans who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder by helping them bond with shelter animals that have been neglected or abused.

"His dog was found, was still in the apartment, and between the officers and the detectives the dog was returned to Safe Humane Chicago, and the dog is still up for adoption," he said.

Roy said Howard had helped other veterans who suffer from PTSD bond connect with other animals.

Several days after Howard's death, 45-year-old Charneise Silas was charged with aggravated battery in connection to the shooting. Silas lives on the same block as Howard, and police said she was among a number of people who carried out the fatal shooting.

A judge set Silas' bail at $250,000.

Mason was due to appear in bond court Friday afternoon.

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