DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Addison Director of Police Timothy Hayden announced that four Cook County men have each been charged with two counts of attempted murder (Class X felony) following a Feb. 16 shooting in Addison.
Brandon Pichardo, 23, of Bridgeview; Damian Gonzales, 24, of Chicago; Irubiel Martinez, 19 of Chicago; and Efrain Garcia, 27, of Chicago, all appeared at a bond hearing where Judge Brian Jacobs set bond at $2 million with 10 percent to apply for all four men.
In addition to the attempted murder charge, all four defendants are charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm (Class X felony).
On Feb. 16 at approximately 12:42 p.m., Addison Police Department officers responded to a call of “shots fired” on the 500 block of S. Wisconsin. Upon their arrival, officers found two gun-shot victims in a Jeep SUV parked in the driveway of a residence. Both victims, who were seated in the front driver’s and passenger’s seats, were shot multiple times. Officers immediately rendered first aid to the victims who were then transported to a local hospital for medical attention. An investigation into the matter alleges that the victims were seated in the Jeep when the four men arrived in a Nissan Altima.
It is alleged Gonzalez, Pichardo and Garcia exited the Nissan and approached the vehicle in which the victims were seated. It is further alleged that Gonzalez, who was in the front passenger seat of the vehicle, shot at the victims, striking one of the victims two times and the other 11 times. It is alleged that following the shooting, all four defendants fled the scene. An investigation into the shooting led by the Addison Police Department led to the four men as suspects in the case. Pichardo, Gonzales and Martinez were taken into custody on Feb. 16. Garcia was taken into custody on Feb. 17.
“The allegations that these men ambushed a parked vehicle and, in a frightening display of violence, opened fire in the middle of the afternoon in a residential neighborhood are outrageous,” Berlin said. “This alleged complete disregard and disdain for public safety and the rule of law will not stand in DuPage County. Through the truly outstanding work of the Addison Police Department, however, the men suspected in this violent attack have been apprehended, charged and will face an aggressive prosecution. Public safety remains a top priority of not only my office, but of law enforcement throughout the County. The victims’ injuries are very serious and we are all concerned for their well-being. I thank the Hinsdale, Elmhurst and Villa Park Police Departments for their collaborative efforts and assistance in this case.”
“The successful arrest of the suspects in this case is due in large part to the significant contributions from both the Elmhurst, Villa Park and Hinsdale Police Departments,” Hayden said. “Law enforcement is charged with safeguarding the well-being of our residents and the message from the Addison Police Department to anyone who would consider harming our community is simple, if you commit a crime in Addison, you will be arrested and charged accordingly.”
The next court appearance for all four defendants is scheduled March 20 for arraignment in front of Judge Brian Telander.
