By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post
Two people have been charged with murder in the January 22 slaying of 8-year-old Melissa Ortega in the Little Village neighborhood.
Xavier Guzman, 27, of the 4600 block of South Fairfield, and a 16-year-old boy are in custody and are set to appear at bond hearings on Thursday, January 27.
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| Xavier Guzman |
In a press conference on January 26, CPD Supt. David Brown said, at 2:56 p.m. Saturday, January 22, officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert near 26th and Pulaski. They observed what Brown called "three purported gang members" on the corner of 26th and Komensky.
Here is full video of the press conference:
"Moments later, an individual emerged [from a vehicle], south of their location, near an alley and fired a handgun at them," Brown continued. "That's when Melissa and her mother were crossing the street, and Melissa was shot in the head."
Brown said the 16-year-old was the shooter, and Guzman was the driver of the getaway vehicle.
Brown said the shooter's target was a 29-year-old man. He was shot in the back as he ran from the gunfire.
Nearly hit by gunfire, Brown added, were a man and his 9-year-old daughter who were nearby, inside their vehicle.
Using surveillance cameras and license plate readers, Brown said police located the vehicle (although he did not say where), and he said the gun used in the slaying was found inside the vehicle.
Guzman was apprehended on January 24 in the 4300 block of South California. The 16-year-old boy was arrested on January 25 in the 3000 block of South Drake.
According to public records, Guzman has been arrested three times by CPD since 2017, twice on charges that included possession of a controlled substance.
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