ST. CHARLES, IL – A Kane County jury has found Samuel Garcia of Aurora guilty of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in connection with a 2022 fatal shooting that left one man dead and another injured.
According to Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser, the verdict followed testimony showing that on September 24, 2022, Garcia exited a white sedan on the 300 block of Center Avenue in Aurora, brandishing a silver revolver. Prosecutors said Garcia shouted gang slogans before shooting one victim in the face and arm, then fatally shooting Ferrer Velasquez twice in the head as he tried to flee.
According to prosecutors, the violence occurred shortly after Velasquez and another man intervened to help a juvenile being harassed by Garcia and his associates. Aurora police later traced the vehicle involved in the shooting to Garcia and co-defendant Alonzo Sanchez, leading to their arrests and charges.
Garcia’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 7, 2026, before Judge Barsanti at the Kane County Judicial Center. He faces 20 to 60 years for murder, plus a mandatory 25-years-to-life enhancement for personally discharging the firearm, as well as additional time for attempted murder.
Assistant State’s Attorney Lori Anderson thanked investigators and community members for helping secure the conviction, saying the case represented “a senseless loss” and “the power of witnesses coming forward.”
Garcia remains held at the Kane County Jail awaiting sentencing.
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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