Police say Tuesday night shooting gang related
A 19-year-old man was killed in an apparent gang-related shooting Tuesday night in Elgin, police said Wednesday.
Police responded at about 9:25 p.m. Tuesday to the 200 block of Silver Court following reports of shots being fired, authorities said.
Officers began checking the area on foot and located Alexis Huerta of the 600 block of Dixon Avenue in Elgin lying next to an apartment building parking lot. Police said he had sustained several gunshot wounds from an unknown offender.
Elgin Police Gang Unit detectives were in the area Wednesday conducting interviews with area residents and any witnesses.
“We are investigating the case as gang related, and the gang investigators are working the case,” Elgin Police Lt. Dan O'Shea said.
On Wednesday afternoon, cars lined both sides of the street in front of Huerta's home. A young woman who answered the door said the family had no comment.
Kane County court records show Huerta was found guilty of misdemeanor resisting a peace officer in 2011 and 2012.
In 2012, he was also found guilty of misdemeanor possession of less than 2.5 grams of cannabis, and misdemeanor carrying/possession of a knife with intent, records show. Earlier this year he had been charged with felony burglary and retail theft, though there was no disposition of the cases.
A representative of the Kane County coroner's office said an autopsy was being conducted Wednesday.
O'Shea said Huerta's death appears to be unrelated to a nearby armed robbery that took place last week. The two suspects charged in the robbery were still being held in jail on $100,000 bail each, he said.
“We don't believe there is any connection at this time,” O'Shea said.
This was Elgin's second homicide in less than a month — and the second in 2013 — after the March 2 murder of Elgin resident Lisa Koziol-Ellis, who was stabbed to death in her home. A neighbor of Koziol-Ellis' was charged with her murder.
Police are asking anyone with any information on Tuesday's shooting to contact the Elgin Police Gang Investigation Division at (847) 289-2646.
Additionally, individuals can provide anonymous tips or information via the crime line at (847) 695-4195, or by texting 847411 and including ELGINPD in the beginning of the text, along with the message and/or tip information.
Ÿ Daily Herald staff writers Lee Filas and Susan Sarkauskas contributed to this story.