A 19-year-old Aurora man has been found guilty of first degree murder in the fatal shooting of Edwin Varela, also of Aurora, in 2023.
Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser announced today that Judge David Kliment has found Zahmeir Andrews guilty of First-Degree Murder, a Class M felony; Attempt First-Degree Murder, a Class X felony; Attempt Armed Robbery, a Class 1 felony; and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, a Class 3 felony.
Andrews waived his right to a jury trial.
According to prosecutors, at approximately 7:24pm on August 20, 2023, Aurora police received multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting a vehicle crash and a person shot in the 1300 block of North Glen Circle. When officers arrived at the scene they found 19-year-old Edwin Varela of Aurora suffering from gunshot wounds inside a crashed vehicle. Aurora Fire Department paramedics transported Varela to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Evidence presented at trial showed that Varela and his girlfriend, who was seated in the front passenger seat, had been planning to go to dinner that evening when Varela told her he needed to make a stop to sell illegal cannabis and vape cartridges. The two drove to the area of North Glen Circle, where Varela stopped the vehicle near three men and began discussing money with one of them. A fourth man, later identified as Andrews, approached the vehicle carrying a handgun. The men told Varela to exit the car, and as Varela attempted to reverse and drive away, Andrews began firing into the vehicle through the open driver’s-side window.
Varela was struck multiple times in the upper body. The vehicle continued moving after he was shot and crashed into several parked cars. Varela’s girlfriend was not struck.
Andrews, who was 16 years old at the time of the shooting, was prohibited by law from possessing the handgun.
Two other juveniles were also identified and charged in connection with the shooting during the course of the investigation. An 18-year-old was later charged as well; his case remains pending.
Judge Kliment set Andrews’s next court appearance for September 29, 2026 at 9am in Courtroom 305 at the Kane County Judicial Center for motions and sentencing.
Andrews’s is eligible for a discretionary 25-year enhancement because prosecutors proved that he fired the murder weapon.
Andrews remains in custody at the Kane County jail.
“This verdict holds Zahmeir Andrews accountable for the senseless killing of Edwin Varela,” said Assistant State’s Attorneys Mark Stajdohar. “No family should have to endure the loss we’ve seen here, and I hope this verdict brings some measure of justice to Edwin’s loved ones.”
