Ezequiel Velasquez | Homicide Watch Chicago

Third suspect charged with murder for 2013 fatal beating of 17-year-old Ezequiel Velazquez in Brighton Park

Jeff Mayes — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 11:08:32 -0600

By ASHLEE REZIN
Chicago Sun-Times

A third man has been charged with the fatal beating of 17-year-old Ezequiel Velazquez on New Year’s Day 2013 in the Brighton Park neighborhood on the Southwest Side.

Daniel Malave | Chicago Police

Daniel Malave, 29, faces one count of first-degree murder in connection with the death of Velazquez, who Chicago Police called a rival gang member.

He was arrested about 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the 4500 block of South Washtenaw, police said. On Saturday, Malave, who lives in the 4200 block of South Rockwell, was ordered held at Cook County Jail without bond.

About 6 a.m. Jan. 1, 2013, Velasquez and a 21-year-old woman were driving on 40th Street when they encountered a dark Chevrolet Suburban blocking the street near Pulaski Road, authorities said at the time. A group of several suspects got out of the SUV and approached the pair in their Chrysler Sebring to ask if they had any gasoline.

Ezequiel Velazquez | photo provided

When Velasquez and the woman replied they did not, the suspects pulled the woman from the car and beat her, police said. When the teen got out of the car, the suspects also beat him.

The woman did not seek medical treatment and the Chrysler was later found in the 4200 block of South Campbell, police said at the time.

Velasquez, of the Clearing neighborhood on the Southwest Side, was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead nine days later, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. An autopsy determined he died from blunt force head injuries and his death was ruled a homicide.

Vincent Lopez | Illinois Dept. of Corrections

Malave is due back in court Jan. 30, court records show.

Vincent Lopez, 26, of the 5800 block of South Whipple, was charged in August 2013 with one count of first-degree murder. He has been sentenced to 24 years in prison, with a projected parole date in 2037.

A boy who was 15 at the time of his arrest in 2013 was also charged with murder in connection with Velazquez’ death. His name was not released at the time because he was a juvenile.

Boy, 15, charged with murder for New Year's Day beating

Michael Lansu — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 17:19:36 -0600

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with murder for allegedly beating 17-year-old Ezequiel Velasquez to death during a New Year’s Day carjacking on the Southwest Side.

Accomplice Vincent Lopez, 22, of the 5800 block of South Whipple Street, was charged in August with one count of first degree murder in Velasquez' death, police said.

Velasquez and a 21-year-old woman were westbound on 40th Street in a Chrysler Sebring when they encountered a dark Chevrolet Suburban blocking the street near Pulaski Road about 6 a.m. Jan. 1, authorities said.

A group got out of the SUV, approached the Sebring and asked for gasoline, police said.

When they replied they did not, the group pulled the woman from the car and began beating her, police said. Velasquez then got out of the car and the group beat him and stole Sebring to push the SUV away from the scene.

Police said Velasquez and the carjackers all had gang affiliations.

Velasquez, of the 6100 block of South Massasoit Avenue, was initially taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he died nine days later, authorities said.

The woman did not request medical treatment, police said.

The Sebring was later found in the 4200 block of South Campbell Avenue, police said.

Police are not releasing the name of the 15-year-old boy because he is a juvenile. He is expected to appear for a bond hearing Sunday.

Velasquez family remembers son slain in New Year's Day beating

Cat Zakrzewski — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 10:59:39 -0500

Ezequiel Velasquez, 17, died Jan. 9 from injuries he sustained more than a week earlier during a New Year's Day beating. He was expecting a daughter, who was born on June 22. His mother wrote the following letter to Homicide Watch Chicago.

My name is Lydia Velasquez and I lost my son by cause of a violent beating. There were 12 males that took my baby's life from us; Ezequiel Velasquez was only 17 years old with a baby on the way. I will now tell you about my precious baby boy.

"Izzy" Valesquz, 17, died on Jan. 9, months before his first child was born.

I can still remember the day my son was born like it was yesterday. Ezequiel Velasquez was born on Oct. 1, 1995 at 7:01 p.m. My fourth son at the time, he had dirty blonde hair with a light complexion and was the most beautiful baby I had yet. His three older brother were so happy they couldn't wait to meet him. He was a happy and easygoing baby, and that stayed with him for the rest of his life. My “Izzy” was very smart in school he would bring home certificates to Mama all the time. He was Grandma Gracie and Papi Chuy’s little guy, who spent most of his childhood with them. He was in a sense their child. Like most children, Izzy enjoyed playing and hanging out with his brothers. Although it would drive me up the wall, but it overwhelmed me with joy that my boys had that relationship. He was the type of kid that would help you if you needed with no questions asked. Izzy became an older brother and was excited that finally he wasn’t the one being picked on. Now there was a house of five brothers, what a joy for me. Izzy had an understanding for his little brother because he knew what it was like to be one. Therefore, he was his protector, loving the big brother role.

As he got older, he became a faithful and loyal friend to many. Many considered him a brother because of his loyalty. Just like any teenager, he his a bump in the road, but in time he found his way home to his family. Izzy met a young lady that he loved very much and started to better himself by going back to school to pave a positive road for their future. My Izzy was the lightest of my sons, but he was the most Mexican of them all. He was a big admirer of all Mexican music, especially the Rancheras and Tamborazo. That was my Izzy, always singing you a good song. There would be times when he would blast the radio and sing and dance away and say, “Come on Ma, dance with me.” These are some of the many loving memories I will never let go.

Moreover, Izzy was overcome with joy when he became a big brother for the second time to a baby sister named Lea Grace on May 18, 2012. He was looking forward to protecting her from the world. Shortly after, his first nephew Izak Angelo was born. He was so excited to have a boy to rough up.

All in all, my baby boy Ezequiel Velasquez was the most loving and kind-hearted person that did not deserve to leave this world the way he did and lose out on all the joy that was coming to him.

In conclusion, his daughter Izzabella Lily Velasquez-Luna was born on June 22. Just like I was there when my son left this world, I was there when his daughter entered. I am truly blessed to have a piece of him left on this earth that I can hold and look at and see his face. All children are a blessing, but my granddaughter Izzabella is one special angel that will honor her father with the love, respect and pride that my son, her father once had.

I can go on and on with endless stories about my precious son, a mother’s story is endless. What the world needs to know about my son is that he was cheated, cheated out of life. He was not your regular statistic, although most moms would say that about their sons. Mine is one of a kind, just like a good card hand.

I would like to thank you for letting me share with you a little piece of my Ezequiel’s life story. My final words will be, “I love my Mijo and will forever hurt.” I would always tell him, “Mama loves you mijo.” Now, I tell him, “Wait for me at the gates of heaven, I’ll be there shortly.”

Yours truly,

The Velasquez Family

Teen beaten New Year's Day dies

John Carpenter — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:59:16 -0500

Sun-Times Media Wire, January 9, 2013 10:12PM

A Southwest Side teen died Wednesday, more than a week after robbers allegedly ripped him and a woman out of a vehicle and beat them before driving off in a New Year’s Day carjacking.

Ezequiel Velasquez, 17, and a 21-year-old woman were headed westbound on 40th Street when they encountered a dark Chevrolet Suburban blocking the street near Pulaski Road about 6 a.m., authorities said.

A group of several suspects got out of the SUV and approached the pair in their Chrysler Sebring to ask if they had any gasoline, police News Affairs Officer Daniel O’Brien said.

When they replied they did not, the suspects pulled the woman from the car and began beating her, O’Brien said. When the teen got out of the car, the suspects began beating him, then used the car to push the SUV away from the scene.

Velasquez, of the 6100 block of South Massasoit Avenue, was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, initially in serious condition, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

He was pronounced dead at the hospital at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, according to the medical examiner’s office.

The woman did not seek medical treatment, O’Brien said. Police could not immediately say how she knew the teen.

The Chrysler was later found in the 4200 block of South Campbell Avenue, but no one has been arrested in connection with the attack, O’Brien said.

Police say Velasquez has a gang affiliation, and that the carjackers -- believed to be ages 17 to 20 -- are suspected of having gang affiliations as well, he said.

Area Central detectives had been investigating the beating as a robbery and vehicular hijacking, but will likely re-classify it as a homicide investigation.

Pending the outcome of a Thursday autopsy, Velasquez’s death would be the fifth homicide in Chicago on New Year’s Day, and the fifteenth homicide this year.