A 27-year-old Montgomery man pleaded guilty this week to murder related to a 2022 gang-related shooting in Aurora.
Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser announced yesterday that Alonzo Sanchez pleaded guilty to first-degree murder (a class M felony), and accepted a sentence of 25 years in prison.
On the afternoon of September 24, 2022, a white sedan driven by Sanchez pulled up to the 300 block of Center Avenue in Aurora along with co-defendant Samuel Garcia, who exited the passenger seat brandishing a silver revolver. Garcia confronted two men, yelled gang slogans, and fired the revolver at one of them, shooting him in his face and left arm. The second man, Ferrer Velasquez, attempted to flee but stumbled and fell to the ground. Garcia stood over Velasquez and shot him twice in the head. Garcia returned to the sedan and they fled eastbound.
Ferrer Velasquez was pronounced dead on the scene.
The other victim was taken to a local hospital and recovered from his injuries.
According to witnesses, earlier that afternoon Velasquez and the other victim had come to the aid of a juvenile who was being harassed by Garcia and Sanchez. Garcia committed the shooting moments later. Through an extensive investigation, the Aurora Police Department tracked down the vehicle and connected it to Garcia and Sanchez, who were subsequently arrested.
Garcia was found guilty of first-degree murder and attempt first-degree murder earlier this month, and faces a sentence of between 20-60 years of imprisonment for first-degree murder with the mandatory add-on of 25 years to life because the State proved that Garcia personally discharged the firearm that caused the death of Ferrer Velasquez. He also faces 6-30 years imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections for attempt first-degree murder with the mandatory add-on of 25 years to life because the State proved that Garcia personally discharged the firearm that caused great bodily harm. Garcia remains in custody at the Kane County Jail.
“Alonzo Sanchez willingly took part in a senseless and brutal murder, and now he will spend the next two decades of his life in prison,” said Assistant State’s Attorneys Lori Anderson. “No prison sentence can repair what was done to these victims and their families, but I hope this outcome brings some measure of justice to them, including the loved ones of Ferrer Velasquez who continue to grieve his loss. The convictions in this case were only possible because of the Aurora Police Department’s hard work—especially Detectives Grabowski and Rees and the Special Operations Group—and the brave Aurora citizens who came forward with information.”
Garcia’s next court appearance is set for January 7, 2026 at 1:30 p.m., in Courtroom 319 at the Kane County Judicial Center for post-trial motions and sentencing.
