Serial Murders: Chicago Man Accused of Killing 6 at Random Throughout 2020

A 21-year-old Man Faces Multiple Charges for Five Counts of First-Degree Murder and Four Counts of Attempted Murder

A man is accused of gunning down six people at random throughout 2020 when he was a teenager and five new murder charges were recently filed. Antonio Reyes, 21, of Chicago, is facing five counts of first-degree murder and four counts of attempted murder for what was described by Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke as “serial murders.”

Random and Unprovoked Killings

According to authorities, none of the victims had ever met Antonio Reyes before, and there was no apparent reason for him to target them. “None of these people had ever met Antonio Reyes before,” O’Neill Burke said. “And there’s nothing to suspect Antonio Reyes had any reason to target them, but that’s exactly what he did.”

A History of Violence

Reyes was already in custody for the June 2020 murder of 26-year-old Luis Davalos-Garcia. Davalos-Garcia was parked outside of his girlfriend’s home in the 5800 block of South Rockwell with a “baby on board” sign in the windshield when he was gunned down. At the time of the shooting, Reyes was angry due to a breakup, according to prosecutors. He sent a video to a person, who later became a witness for authorities, holding a gun with a laser sight driving around “minutes” prior to the murder.

A Significant Breakthrough in the Investigation

Detectives began to realize that Reyes was allegedly responsible for five other Southwest Side homicides throughout 2020. A “significant” development in the investigation stemmed from a .40 caliber handgun that was recovered in the summer of 2020. Similar shell casings were matched to the gun at other crime scenes.

A Timeline of the Other Murders

• 2600 block of West 59th Street on March 2, 2020
• 4100 block of South Sacramento Avenue on April 5, 2020
• 5200 block of South Homan Avenue on May 1, 2020
• 5400 block of South Homan Avenue on November 8, 2020
• 4700 block of West 59th Street November 9, 2020

The Victims and Their Families

The victims in the other murders were Francisco Magana, 31, Claudio Cossio, 21, Damian Duran, 16, Jose Martinez, 31, and Justin Gonzalez, 20. The families of the victims met before the arraignment of the man accused of killing their loved ones. Nohemi Cossio, the mother of Claudio Cossio, expressed her gratitude for the investigators and her focus on justice and ensuring that her son’s memory and the memories of the other victims are honored.

Court Proceedings and Sentencing

Reyes pleaded not guilty to the new charges and his next court date is scheduled for March 18. The families of the victims and the community are waiting for justice, and the Chicago Police Department will continue to work on the cases allegedly involving him.

Conclusion

The serial murders of 2020 have left a lasting impact on the community, and the families of the victims will never be the same. The accused, Antonio Reyes, has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder and four counts of attempted murder. The investigation is ongoing, and the Chicago Police Department will continue to work towards bringing justice to the victims and their families.

FAQs

* What is the current status of the case?
The case is ongoing, with Reyes pleading not guilty to the new charges and his next court date scheduled for March 18.
* How many victims were killed in the serial murders?
Six people were killed in the serial murders, including Luis Davalos-Garcia, Francisco Magana, Claudio Cossio, Damian Duran, Jose Martinez, and Justin Gonzalez.
* What were the victims doing at the time of the killings?
The victims were engaged in everyday activities, such as buying a pop, sitting in a parked car with a friend, and taking their family to buy a new puppy.