Bail set for Elgin teens charged with gang-related murder
A Cook County judge set bail Tuesday for two Elgin teens charged with first-degree murder in the death of 16-year-old Nestor Alvarado, which authorities say was gang-related.
Judge Jill Cerone Marisie set bail at $2 million for Ricky J. Moreno, 15. She ordered Mario A. Williams, 15, who authorities allege fired the weapon that killed Alvarado, held on no bail. Both defendants have been charged as adults in the shooting, which took place outside a convenience store in the 800 block of Elgin’s East Chicago Street last week.
Described as a senseless act of violence by Elgin Police Chief Jeff Swoboda, the murder was the culmination of an argument that began at an Elgin skate park last Thursday with an exchange of words between the victim and the defendants, authorities say.
Moreno and Williams left the park and walked toward the convenience store while the victim and a witness walked behind them in the same direction, said Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Dave Weiner. Moreno pulled a gun from his backpack and gave it to Williams, who is accused of raising the gun and firing two to three shots at the victim and the witness, who were about 10 to 15 feet behind the defendants, Weiner said.
Autopsy results indicate Alvarado died from a gunshot wound to his chest.
After the shooting, authorities say, Williams gave the gun back to Moreno, who placed it back in his backpack. The defendants then ran to a friend’s apartment where they changed clothes and Williams discarded the purple and white striped tank shirt he was wearing, authorities say. The teens also attempted to cut their hair to alter their appearance and bragged about committing the shooting, Weiner said.
Authorities say the store’s surveillance video shows Williams dressed in a purple and white striped tank shirt holding a gun in his waistband minutes before the shooting. Moreno made a statement to police admitting providing Williams a gun and then taking it back after the shooting, Weiner said.
If convicted, Williams and Moreno each face between 20 and 60 years in prison. If convicted of personally discharging a firearm during the commission of the murder, Williams faces an additional 25 years to life in prison.
Williams has no criminal background, authorities said. Moreno has several cases, including residential burglary, aggravated battery and criminal damage to property, pending in Rolling Meadows juvenile court.
They next appear in court on July 2.