Officials identify 4 charged in Aurora shooting
Four people have been charged following a shooting that left an Aurora woman critically injured early Friday, authorities said this morning.
Aurora officials identified the gunmen as: Arturo Trejo, 20, of the 400 block of North Lancaster Avenue in Aurora; and Ajaie Martin, 32, of the 300 block of Old Indian Trail in Aurora.
Each was charged with:
• Two counts of attempted murder.
• Two counts of armed violence
• Aggravated battery with a firearm
• Aggravated discharge of a firearm
• Unlawful use of a weapon by a gang member.
• Unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.
Also arrested was Alexander Turner, 21, of the 200 block of North Fourth Street in Aurora. Turner is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, unlawful possession of a firearm without a FOID card, and unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon.
A fourth suspect also was arrested. Erika Benavides, 20, also of the 200 block of North Fourth Street, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm without a FOID card.
The charges against Turner and Benavides stem from the confiscation of two firearms and ammunition that were taken out of the couple's apartment, which was linked to the shooting, authorities said.
The 43-year-old victim, whose name has not been released by police, was shot in her home on the 200 block of North Fourth Street about 3:20 a.m., police said. Several shots were fired, and she was hit once in the neck, authorities said.
She was being treated at a suburban hospital and was expected to recover, authorities said.
After the woman was shot, Trejo and Martin were seen running from the area, authorities said. A police dog tracked the men to Turner and Benavides' apartment, according to a news release.
Police seized a handgun and a long gun from the apartment, Aurora spokesman Dan Ferrelli said.
"We will do ballistics (tests) on the handgun to see if it was the one used," he said.
Authorities believe the shooting was gang related but wouldn't elaborate. Ferrelli wouldn't say if the victim was targeted or if she knew her assailants.
Two additional people who were questioned during the investigation were released without charges, police said.
Bond and court information for the four suspects was not immediately available.