Bensenville, IL – A Bensenville man has been sentenced to three decades in prison following a 2023 fatal shooting that occurred during his own birthday celebration and left a Des Plaines father dead.
According to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, 32-year-old Kevin Krenc pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder and was sentenced Wednesday to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. He will be required to serve the entire sentence without the possibility of parole.
Authorities said the incident occurred on October 14, 2023, at Krenc’s residence on Church Road in unincorporated Bensenville, where he was hosting a birthday party. Victor Garcia, the victim, was among the attendees. Tensions allegedly escalated during the event after claims surfaced that Garcia had stolen shoes from another guest, a dispute that led to Garcia reportedly feeling disrespected.
Deputies with the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about an intoxicated man and soon learned of the fatal shooting. Investigators allege Krenc retrieved a hidden rifle and shot Garcia five times inside the garage before hiding the weapon in a trailer and fleeing the scene.
Krenc was taken into custody at his home on October 17, 2023. A subsequent search uncovered a rifle hidden in a basement vent, according to deputies.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin described the killing as “unprovoked,” noting Garcia was a father of three, with a fourth child on the way. Berlin said Krenc’s conviction offers legal closure but cannot replace the loss experienced by Garcia’s family and friends.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorneys Lynn Cavallo, Sean Kinsella and Anthony Raimondi.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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