Man gets $1 million bail for murder outside liquor store

A Belmont Central man was ordered held on $1 million bail Thursday for allegedly killing a motorist he had been arguing with outside a Humboldt Park liquor store.

After buying some alcohol in the 1100 block of North Pulaski on March 23, Victor Mendoza was walking to his car parked across the street when Mario Ramirez Jr. pulled up, authorities said.

Still in his car, Ramirez, 35, began yelling at other men standing outside the liquor store, Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Lesley Gool said.

He then started screaming at Mendoza too, Gool said.

After Mendoza, 26, got into his car, Ramirez backed up his vehicle parallel to Mendoza’s, Gool said.

The men, who did not know each other, started arguing, Gool said.

During the argument, Mendoza allegedly took out a gun and fired at Ramirez, striking him twice.

Mendoza, who goes by the street names “Big Mexico” and “Mexico G,” drove away and the injured Ramirez followed. But after five blocks, Ramirez stopped after succumbing to his injuries, Gool said.

Police found Ramirez in his car and took him to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Witnesses identified Mendoza as the shooter and surveillance camera video from the liquor store captured him shooting Ramirez, Gool said.

Mendoza, a graduate of Steinmetz College Prep, was defending himself, his attorney argued before Judge Donald Panarese Jr. on Thursday.

Mendoza has previous felony convictions for attempted burglary and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. He also has misdemeanors for battery and domestic battery, Gool said.