27 years for gangbanger who killed 8-year-old girl holding mom's hand

CHICAGO — A Latin King gang member has been sentenced to 27 years in jail for killing an 8-year-old woman with a bullet supposed for rival gangbangers.

Little Melissa Ortega was holding her mom’s hand as they crossed Pulaski at twenty sixth Road when Emilio Corripio started firing down the block simply earlier than 3 p.m. on January 22, 2022. Intestine-wrenching video confirmed a shot supposed for Corripio’s rivals struck Melissa within the head and she or he instantly collapsed in entrance of a financial institution entrance.

Corripio, now 20 years outdated, was on juvenile probation for 2 carjackings and a stolen motorized vehicle case when he killed the woman. Prosecutors stated he recognized himself as a Latin King no less than twice throughout earlier arrests. A second man, 30-year-old Xavier Guzman, can be charged within the case. Prosecutors say he served as Corripio’s getaway driver. He continues to battle the costs.

Guzman was a suburban cab driver on the time of the capturing. Officers stated he was off-duty when he picked Corripio up within the cab lower than an hour earlier than the capturing. Prosecutors stated the pair noticed two males throwing up indicators for the rival Two-Six road gang on the nook of Komensky and twenty sixth Road, and Corripio determined to circle the block.

Movies allegedly confirmed his cab pulling into a close-by alley and in addition confirmed Corripio strolling out of the alley to open fireplace on the Two-Six. A bullet struck one of many rivals, a 29-year-old man, within the again. Different bullets slammed right into a parked automotive occupied by a 47-year-old man and his 9-year-old daughter.

Listening to the gunfire, Melissa regarded over her shoulder, and she or he and her mother quickened their tempo to cross the intersection and take cowl. They have been inches from the doorway of a Fifth Third financial institution when Melissa, nonetheless holding her mother’s hand, was struck by a bullet and fell to the bottom.

Corripio wore a masks, a hoodie over his head, and darkish clothes, so the movies didn’t present his face. However investigators tracked the cab’s actions and found that Guzman and Corripio stopped for Subway sandwiches about half-hour after the capturing, prosecutors alleged. Corripio’s face was clearly seen on the restaurant footage, which confirmed he was carrying the identical clothes because the killer, prosecutors claimed.

Chicago cops positioned the cab, put it underneath surveillance, and arrested Guzman when he appeared. Prosecutors stated checks revealed {that a} firearm within the cab’s driver’s door compartment matched shell casings discovered on the capturing scene. Investigators additionally discovered Corripio’s fingerprint on the entrance passenger door deal with.

Guzman admitted being within the space of the capturing, and he recognized Corripio by a nickname, prosecutors allege. Cops who had in depth contact with Corripio recognized him from the Subway footage.

Choose James Novy sentenced Corripio. He’s additionally dealing with Guzman’s case.