Santino Hernandez charged in murder of 15-year-old Jeyson Gonzalez in Brighton Park

David Struett — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 10:39:57 -0600

A third person has been charged with the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old boy in October in the Brighton Park neighborhood.

Santino Hernandez | Chicago Police

Santino Hernandez, 18, of the Galewood neighborhood, faces felony counts of first-degree murder and aggravated battery with the discharge of a handgun in the Oct. 26 death of Jeyson Gonzalez, according to Chicago Police.

Gonzalez and a 14-year-old boy were shot about 3:35 p.m. in the 2500 block of West 45th Street, authorities said. Gonzalez, of the West Englewood neighborhood, was struck in the side and the 14-year-old was struck in the lower back. Both were taken to Stroger Hospital, where Gonzalez died.

First-degree murder charges have also been filed against a 17-year-old boy and Flor Perez, 18, who prosecutors said was the getaway driver.

At a Nov. 21 bond hearing for Perez, prosecutors said she was driving Hernandez and the 17-year-old boy around in a Pontiac minivan when they drove by Gonzalez and the 14-year-old in the 4400 block of South Maplewood and “false flagged” them.

Flor Perez | Chicago Police

Santino and the 17-year-old boy — members of the 2-6 street gang — gave the teens the hand sign of the rival Satan’s Disciples gang, Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Coelho said. When Gonzalez returned the Disciples sign, Hernandez and the 17-year-old told Perez to drive to a nearby alley and park.

Hernandez and the boy then got out, walked toward Gonzalez and opened fire, Coelho said. When they got back into the van, Perez drove them away.

At Perez’s bond hearing, prosecutors said she admitted in a videotaped statement that she knew the shooting would take place. Judge Mary Marubio noted that Perez had no criminal record before her arrest for the murder, and her bail was set at $75,000.

Hernandez appeared in court for a bond hearing Sunday, but his bail was not immediately available Sunday night. Police did not release additional information about the 17-year-old because he is a juvenile.

—Chicago Sun-Times Wire

Santino Hernandez | Homicide Watch Chicago

Santino Hernandez charged in murder of 15-year-old Jeyson Gonzalez in Brighton Park