Two charged after man killed at his own birthday party in Aurora

Two brothers were arrested after a man died in a fight with them Sunday evening during his own birthday party in west suburban Aurora.

About 12:15 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to a report of a disturbance in the first block of South State Street and found 36-year-old Erik Mendez lying in the road unconscious, suffering from a head injury, according to Aurora police.

Mendez’s birthday party was being hosted in a yard nearby and a fight had broken out between Mendez and 35-year-old Raul Colin, of Aurora, police said. The fight spilled into the street and, at some point, Colin’s brother, 32-year-old Jose M. Alejandre of Aurora, shoved Mendez.

Mendez, also of Aurora, fell backward and hit his head on the pavement. He was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, where he died at 8:31 p.m., police and the DuPage County coroner’s office said.

An autopsy performed Monday did not immediately rule on Mendez’s final cause and manner of death, with results pending further investigation, according to the coroner’s office.

Police said they believe alcohol was a factor in the incident.

The two brothers involved in the fight ran away, but were later found at Alejandre’s home, police said.

Alejandre was charged with involuntary manslaughter and aggravated battery, and Colin was charged with aggravated battery, police said.

Bond was set at $750,000 for Alejandre and $250,000 for Colin, police said. They are both being held at the Kane County Correctional Center.