Two charged after officers witness fatal Chicago Lawn shooting

Christian Alvarez | Chicago Police Dept.

Two men are facing murder charges after police officers witnessed a fatal drive-by shooting early Tuesday in the Southwest Side Chicago Lawn neighborhood.

Christian Alvarez, 18, is charged with first-degree murder; and Antonio Castaneda, 31, is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery to a peace officer, and attempting to disarm a peace officer, according to Chicago Police.

Judge Laura Sullivan ordered Alvarez, of the 5800 block of South Kedzie, held without bond Thursday. Castaneda, of the 6000 block of South Kedzie, was ordered held on a $1 million bond.

Officers saw a gold or beige Nissan Maxima heading northbound on Francisco across 63rd Street about 2 a.m. Tuesday when the rear passenger stuck his arm out the window and fired five shots at a man on the street, prosecutors said.

Sam Aguilar | Chicago Police Dept.

The Nissan then turned into the alley between 60th and 61st Place, and a sergeant followed the vehicle until it stopped in the 6000 block of South Central Park, prosecutors said.

The sergeant saw Castaneda get out of the driver’s seat and chased him down the alley, prosecutors said. During the chase, Castaneda turned on the sergeant and reached for his gun. The sergeant took Castaneda to the ground and struck him with the gun.

Alvarez, who also jumped out of the vehicle, was detained around the corner by other officers, prosecutors said.

Sam Aguilar, 33, of the 1500 block of West Walton Street, was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where he was pronounced dead at 10:16 a.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

Prosecutors said another person witnessed the shooting and identified Castaneda and Alvarez in a line-up. A third person who was in the vehicle has not been charged.