Montgomery Man Sentenced to 25 Years for 2022 Murder

A Montgomery man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of Ferrer Velasquez, who was fatally shot in Aurora in 2022. Alonzo Sanchez, aged 27, was implicated as the driver of the getaway vehicle following the shooting, according to a news release from the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Circuit Court Judge John Barsanti ordered that Sanchez serve the entirety of his sentence without the possibility of parole. He will receive credit for two years and 325 days already served in Kendall County Jail since his arrest. Sanchez’s co-defendant, Samuel Garcia, was found guilty of first-degree murder by a Kane County jury on October 31 and is scheduled for sentencing on January 7, according to the state’s attorney’s office.

In a statement, Assistant State’s Attorney Lori Anderson said, “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. 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 incident occurred on September 24, 2022, when Garcia and Sanchez drove to the 300 block of Center Avenue in Aurora. Evidence presented in court showed that Garcia exited the vehicle and confronted two men, shouting gang slogans before shooting one victim in the face and arm. As the second victim, Velasquez, attempted to escape, he stumbled and fell, whereupon Garcia shot him twice in the head, resulting in Velasquez’s death at the scene.

After the shooting, Garcia entered a white sedan driven by Sanchez, and the two fled the location. The man who was shot in the face was treated for his injuries at a nearby hospital. Witnesses reported that earlier that day, the victims had intervened to assist a minor who had been harassed by Garcia and others in the sedan, just moments before the shooting occurred.

The prosecution of this case was led by Anderson and fellow prosecutor Amanda Busljeta, who commended the efforts of Aurora police detectives and witnesses for their crucial roles in securing convictions related to this violent incident.