Javier Garza (L) and Damien Garza (R) / Photos from Chicago Police
BY LEEANN SHELTON
Sun-Times Media
Two men were convicted of murder Wednesday for a 2013 shooting that killed a 14-year-old boy on the Southwest Side.
Michael Orozco was on his way to an ice cream shop with friends about 4:30 p.m. April 7 when he was fatally shot in the chest in the 2200 block of South Leavitt Street, authorities said.
Prosecutors said Javier Garza, 19, shot Michael in an apparent attempt to avenge his father’s murder.
Both he and another suspect, 21-year-old Damien Garza, were arrested after police on the scene radioed a description of the gunman’s vehicle and other officers located it nearby, police said.
The Garzas are not related, Javier Garza’s mother said after a 2013 court hearing in the case.
A third male was initially taken into custody and later released.
Michael Orozco / Family photo
Authorities said both suspects and Michael were in gangs -- a claim their families denied.
Both men were convicted Wednesday of various counts of murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery and aggravated discharge of a firearm following trials that began Monday before Judge James Linn, according to court records.
Damien Garza, of the 4500 block of Wood Street, will next appear in court May 5. Javier Garza, of the 2900 block of North 75th Court in Elmwood Park, will be back in court May 7.