Jul 3, 2008 3:02 pm US/Central
7 More Gang Members Charged In April Murder
JOLIET, Ill. (STNG) ―
Murder charges were filed Wednesday against seven additional suspects in connection with the fatal shooting of a southwest suburban man outside a Walgreens in April.
Alfredo Lopez was caught in the middle of an alleged gang fight between the Latin Kings and the Vice Lords. He was shot and killed as he walked with his children, 11 and 8, approaching the entrance to the Walgreens at 358 E. Cass Ave. in Joliet on April 16.
The alleged shooter, Daniel Huizar, 18, of Joliet, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm shortly after Lopez was killed, according to a release from the Will County State's Attorney's office. Huizar is being held in Will County Jail on $5 million bond.
The murder charges filed Wednesday are against two alleged members of the Latin Kings and five alleged members of the Vice Lords -- all of whom allegedly were involved in the mob action that led to the death, according to the release.
Joliet Police arrested the seven men on Wednesday after Will County Circuit Judge Sarah Jones signed arrest warrants with bonds for each defendant ranging from $1 million to $5 million.
The two alleged Latin Kings -- Reyes Velasquez, 19; and Miguel Garcia, 18, both of Joliet -- were each charged with one count of felony mob action, one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm and three counts of first-degree murder, the release said.
The five alleged Vice Lords -- Juan Ornelas, 20; Jose Aguirre, 20; Sergio Garcia, 20; and Erik Perez, 20; all of Joliet; and Fabian Vargas, 19, of Channahon -- were each charged with one count of felony mob action and one count of first-degree murder, the release said.
Under Illinois law, police and prosecutors can hold the seven accountable for instigating and advancing the altercation that led to the murder, the release said. All of the seven face up to 60 years in prison if convicted.
"I approved these charges to send a resounding warning to every gang banger in Joliet and Will County that we will never tolerate these gutless acts of violence," State's Attorney Glasgow said in the release. "We're putting the gangs on notice: steer clear of weapons and violent altercations. If there's a gang fight and someone dies, we will relentlessly pursue everyone involved -- both on the streets and in the courtroom -- no matter who pulled the trigger."
(Source: Sun-Times News Group Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2008. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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