Aurora man charged with murder in bar shooting

A 48-year-old Aurora man is facing a murder charge following a Monday night shooting at an Aurora bar that left one person dead.

Alfredo Soto of the 700 block of Iowa Avenue has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of 31-year-old Martiniano Alvarez of North Aurora, police said Wednesday.

Authorities said their preliminary investigation indicates Soto and two of his friends were drinking about 6:40 p.m. Monday at the Latin American Club on the 1300 block of Dearborn Avenue. They then had what appeared to be a normal conversation with Alvarez, who entered the bar after them.

Soto then was seen getting up from the bar and walking toward the front door when he told Alvarez to come with him, authorities said. When Alvarez walked toward the door, Soto pulled a handgun and shot him several times.

Soto then left the bar, got into his white pickup truck, and fled.

When police arrived at the bar, they found Alvarez just inside one of the entrances, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Alvarez later died at a hospital.

Soto was found shortly after the shooting at his home on Aurora's west side and taken into custody without incident.

Officials said Soto's quick arrest was due to "the immediate response" of police and the assistance they received from residents.

A motive for the shooting hasn't been established, police said.