Victor Mendoza | Chicago Police
By RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times
A man was ordered held on a $1 million bond Thursday for allegedly killing Mario Ramirez Jr. during an argument outside a liquor store in Humboldt Park earlier this month.
After buying some alcohol in the 1100 block of North Pulaski on March 23, Victor Mendoza was walking back to his car, that was parked across the street, when Ramirez pulled up, authorities said.
Ramirez, 35, began yelling at other men who were standing outside the liquor store while seated in his car, Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Lesley Gool said.
As Mendoza walked back to his car, where four others were seated inside, Ramirez started screaming at him too, Gool said.
After Mendoza, 26, got back into his car, Ramirez backed up his vehicle parallel to Mendoza’s, Gool said.
The men, who did not know each other, started arguing. During the argument, Mendoza, who goes by the street names “Big Mexico” and “Mexico G,” allegedly took out a gun and fired at Ramirez, striking him twice.
Mendoza then drove away and the injured Ramirez followed. But after five blocks, Ramirez stopped after succumbing to his injuries, Gool said.
Police responding to reports of shots fired 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 from the liquor store captured him shooting Ramirez, Gool said.
Mendoza, a graduate of Steinmetz College Prep, was only 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 misdemeanor convictions for battery and domestic battery, Gool said.