Introduction to the Incident
A Chicago man was arrested in Florida after allegedly shooting a family member over her sexual orientation last month. He is facing a hate crime charge.
KISSIMMEE, Fl. — Jamie Santiago, 59, was charged with two counts of a hate crime and two counts of attempted murder after he was arrested in Kissimmee, Florida Friday on a warrant issued on Aug. 29.
Background of the Incident
Prosecutors allege that Santiago had a history of making homophobic comments toward a family member because she is bisexual. The family member went outside, along with her girlfriend, in Humboldt Park to discover two of her tires were flattened, according to court documents. Shortly later, Santiago drove by in the 2600 block of West Crystal Street and said something derogatory to the couple, documents state.
The Altercation
He then approached them on foot after parking his car and reportedly "stared down" the girlfriend. A struggle ensued between Santiago and the family member. Santiago then allegedly pulled out a revolver and shot the family member in the stomach. Santiago allegedly followed her girlfriend into a nearby alley and fired an additional shot.
Aftermath of the Shooting
The family member was transported in good condition. Santiago allegedly attempted to then flee to Florida after the shooting. A few hours following the incident, he was arrested in Lee County, Illinois after being found with a revolver and three spent shell casings. Santiago was not detained and made his way to Florida where as previously mentioned he was taken into custody and extradited back to Chicago, according to prosecutors.
Criminal Background
His criminal background includes three domestic violence convictions, according to a court document.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the severe consequences of hate crimes and the importance of addressing homophobic behavior. The fact that Santiago was able to flee to Florida after the shooting and was only later taken into custody raises questions about the effectiveness of the justice system in handling such cases. It is crucial that law enforcement agencies and the courts take hate crimes seriously and work to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
FAQs
What charges is Jamie Santiago facing?
Jamie Santiago is facing two counts of a hate crime and two counts of attempted murder.
What was the motive behind the shooting?
The motive behind the shooting is alleged to be the family member’s sexual orientation, as she is bisexual.
What is Jamie Santiago’s criminal background?
Jamie Santiago has three domestic violence convictions, according to a court document.
Where was Jamie Santiago arrested?
Jamie Santiago was initially arrested in Lee County, Illinois, and later taken into custody in Kissimmee, Florida.
