Chicago-a Latin King-Bendel member has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for killing an 8-year-old girl with a bullet intended for rival gangbangers.
Little Melissa Ortega held her mother’s hand when they crossed Pulaski in 26th Street when Emilio Corripio started to fire the block on January 22, 2022. The complicated video showed a shot intended for Corripio’s rivals that Melissa hit the head and she immediately stuck in front of a bank tape.
Corripio, now 20 years old, was at a juvenile probation for two carjackings and a stolen motor vehicle case when he killed the girl. Prosecutors said he identified himself at least twice as a Latin king during earlier arrests. A second man, the 30-year-old Xavier Guzman, is also being charged in the case. Justice officers say he served as corripi’s outing. He continues to fight the charges.
Guzman was a taxi driver in the suburbs at the time of the shooting. Officials said he was off-duty when he picked up Corripio less than an hour before the shooting in the cabin. Public prosecutors said the couple saw two men that signs threw for the rival two-six street gang on the corner of Komsky and 26th Street, and Corripio decided to circl the block.
Videos reportedly left his taxi in a nearby rose and also showed that Corripio walked the alley to open the fire on the two-six. A bullet met one of the rivals, a 29-year-old man, in the back. Other bullets struck in a parked car occupied by a 47-year-old man and his 9-year-old daughter.
When he heard the gunfire, Melissa looked over her shoulder and she and her mother accelerated their pace to cross the intersection and seek cover. They were centimeters from the doorway of a fifth third bank when Melissa, who still held her mother’s hand, was struck by a bullet and fell to the ground.
Corripio wore a mask, a hoodie over his head and dark clothing, so the videos did not show his face. But researchers followed the movements of the taxi and discovered that Guzman and Corripio stopped about 30 minutes after the shooting for Metro Sandwiches, claimed public prosecutors. The face of Corripio was clearly visible on the images of the restaurant, which showed that he was wearing the same clothing as the murderer, claimed prosecutors.
Chicago Cops found the taxi, put him under supervision and arrested Guzman when he appeared. Public Prosecutors said that tests revealed that a firearm in the compartment of the driver of the cabin corresponds to the Shell -Omhulsels found in the Schietscène. Researchers also found the fingerprint of Corripio on the door handle of the front passenger.
Guzman admitted that he was in the area of the shooting and he identified Corripio by a nickname, prosecutors claim. Police officers who had extensive contact with Corripio identified him from the metrob images.
Judge James Novy condemned Corripio. He also deals with Guzman’s matter.
