Cordero H. Sims / Photo from Chicago Police
BY SAFIYA MERCHANT
Homicide Watch Chicago
A Naperville man who allegedly shot Irbinzon Gonzalez to death in the parking lot of a Lincoln Square McDonald’s during a drug deal was denied bond Friday.
Cordero H. Sims, 26, of the 1300 block of Normantown Road in Naperville, was charged with one count of first-degree murder, authorities said. Sims appeared in court in a navy blue winter coat and blue jeans, and Judge James Brown ordered him held without bond.
Sims is accused of shooting Gonzalez, 24, about 7 p.m. Monday in the parking lot of a McDonald’s in the 4800 block of North Lincoln Avenue, authorities said.
Prosecutors said a drug deal was arranged where Sims would buy a pound of cannabis. Sims, two acquaintances and the person who arranged the drug deal went to the McDonald’s in an SUV and waited for Gonzalez and another 24-year-old man to arrive, said Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Maura White.
Gonzalez and his acquaintance arrived a short time later and parked a BMW next to the SUV, White said. Sims and his acquaintances inspected the cannabis and Sims went to the BMW with $462 in one dollar bills wrapped in a plastic bag inside a brown paper bag, White said.
The group had agreed to pay $4,500 for the drugs, but hoped to trick the sellers, White said.
Sims entered the BMW, discussed the transaction and handed the bag of money to the unarmed sellers, White said. When Gonzalez attempted to verify the payment, Sims pulled out a gun and a struggle ensued, authorities said.
Sims shot Gonzalez three times in the back of the head, grabbed the pound of drugs and fled in the SUV, White said. The other man in the BMW was able to escape without being shot.
Gonzalez, of the 2600 block of West Winnemac Avenue, was dead on the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. He died of multiple gunshot wounds.
The person who arranged the transaction and the surviving drug dealer identified Sims in a photo lineup, prosecutors said. Sims was arrested Thursday and identified in a physical lineup.
Sims has previously been convicted of manufacturing and delivery of drugs and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, prosecutors said.
Sims lives with his grandmother and visits his 6-year-old daughter daily, according to his public defender. He went to Forman High School through his junior year and got his G.E.D. from Triton College. He currently works with his uncle.
— Contributing: Michael Lansu