The trial against gang members suspected of killing a Latino police officer in 2009 in South Chicago begins with Anita Álvarez, Cook County prosecutor, in charge, according to information shared by Fox News.
The article informs that in the early morning of June 1, 2009, 27-year-old agent Alejandro Valadez was the victim of murder in the neighborhood of Englewood allegedly shot from inside a car in which gang members Kevin Walker and Christopher Harris were in.
According to the report detailed by the prosecution, agents Alejandro Valadez and Thomas Vargas belonged to the anti-gang taskforce in the Chicago Police Department and on that day they were in Englewood investigating a shooting in the area.
Although both agents were dressed as civilians but carried their police badge, the gang members had seemingly confused them with members of rival gang "Gangsters Disciples", which prompted Shawn Gaston to fire four times. Officer Valadez was shot in the head while his partner didn't suffer any injuries.
Fox News points out that the Latino cop's murder helped approve the "Valadez Law" in 2010, which punishes gang members carrying weapons illegally, with a minimum sentence of three years in prison for those guilty. Thanks to this, the Cook County Prosecution informs that charges have been pressed against almost 400 gang members in which 90% were guilty.
In 2011 the Cook County Prosecutor also took charge of Shawn Gaston's trial, the 22-year-old man who was found responsible for shooting and killing a police officer. He was sentenced to 125 years in prison.
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