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Man sentenced to 60 years in prison for 2016 murder at Aurora bar

A Kane County judge sentenced a 50-year-old Aurora man convicted of gunning down another man at an Aurora bar to 60 years in prison.

Alfredo Soto, of the 700 block of Iowa Avenue, shot and killed Martiniano Alvarez, 31, of North Aurora, in August 2016.

"This sentence reflects the cold-blooded and unprovoked nature of this defendant's actions, and permanently removes a violent person from the community," Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon said. "Although nothing can change this defendant's actions that day, I hope Martiniano Alvarez's loved ones feel that this long prison sentence provides a sense of justice."

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Soto and two others were drinking at a bar on the 1300 block of Dearborn Avenue on Aug. 1, 2016. Alvarez joined the men later and witnesses described the group as having a normal conversation.

But at about 6:40 p.m., Soto got up, walked toward the door and asked Alvarez to come with him, prosecutors said. Soto then pulled out a Beretta handgun and fired four shots at Alvarez, one of which hit him in the right temple. Surveillance cameras recorded the shooting, prosecutors said.

Soto drove off in a white pickup truck and Alvarez died later of his injuries.

Soto will receive credit for 815 days served in the Kane County jail, where he has been held since his arrest. Under state law, Soto must serve 100 percent of any sentence.

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