Angel Cano | Homicide Watch Chicago

Gang rival gets 25 years for fatal shooting of Angel Cano in 2013 in Back of the Yards

Jeff Mayes — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 15:15:51 -0500

Joel Batalla | Chicago Police

By JORDAN OWNE
Chicago Sun-Times

A man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for fatally shooting rival gang member Angel Cano in the South Side Back of the Yards neighborhood in 2013.

Joel Batalla pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of murder before Judge William Lacy, according to Cook County court records.

Batalla, a Latin Saint, shot the 16-year-old Cano once in the torso and five times in the head in the 4300 block of South Paulina on May 21, 2013, authorities said at the time.

Angle Cano | Facebook

Earlier, Batalla had learned Cano wanted to buy marijuana and brought him, another dealer and a third person through an alley and into a gangway, where he told them to wait, prosecutors said.

Batalla, who was 17 at the time, returned 10 minutes later and shot Cano, an alleged Satan Disciple, prosecutors said.

Judge Lacy sentenced Batalla to 25 years for each count of murder, to be served concurrently, according to court records. He will receive credit for 1,190 days served in the Cook County Jail, and must then serve three years of supervised release.

‘Beautiful day to get smoked,’ gunman allegedly said before fatal shooting

Sun-Times Media Wire — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:45:13 -0500

BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN Criminal Courts Reporter

As he was readying to buy marijuana in the Back of the Yards neighborhood Tuesday, Angel Cano made small talk about the pleasant weather, according to Cook County prosecutors.

It’s “a beautiful day to smoke,” someone allegedly proclaimed to the 16yearold purported Satan Disciple as they stood in a gangway. Then prosecutors said a rival gangbanger suggested the 80degree temperatures were more suitable for another activity: “It’s a beautiful day to get smoked.”

Joel Batalla, a Latin Saint, continued to open fire, shooting Cano once in the torso in the 4300 block of South Paulina, Assistant State’s Attorney Amanda Pillsbury said. As Cano slumped over, Batalla, 17, shot him five more times in the head, Pillsbury said. Earlier, Batalla had allegedly learned Cano wanted to buy marijuana from him and another, then he led Cano, the other dealer and a third person through an alley and into a gangway where he told the group to wait. Batalla returned 10 minutes later and ordered the other dealer to buy “some blunts,” Pillsbury said. It was then Batalla allegedly shot Cano as he talked about the weather.

Batalla later wrapped the murder weapon with the shirt of the person he told to get the marijuana and then gave the gun to another to hold, Pillsbury said.

Batalla, who goes by the nickname “Gizmo,” was ordered held without bail Thursday for Cano’s murder.

The teenager who lives in the 2600 block of South Hillock has a pending weapons case in juvenile court. Cano’s family declined comment following Thursday’s hearing, saying that they have received a lot of threats in recent days.

Boy, 16, fatally shot in Back of the Yards

Sun-Times Media Wire — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:03:19 -0500

A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot in the South Side Back of the Yards neighborhood Tuesday evening.

Angel Cano, of the 2200 block of West 50th Street, was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head at 43rd Street and Paulina Avenue, authorities said.

Police were called to the intersection about 5:20 p.m. after receiving a report of gunfire in the area.

Cano was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:35 p.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

No one was in custody as Area Central detectives were investigating. Further details were not available.