CHICAGO (STNG) -- A Criminal Court judge Friday set bond at $1 million for the reputed streetgang member charged with the Halloween murder of a woman who was trick-or-treating with her children.
Assistant State's Attorney Michael Hogan told Judge Laura Slattery Boyle that Avila and a second man spotted rival gang members at the opposite end of the 4800 block of South Seeley Avenue the afternoon of Oct. 31.
Hogan said the Avila and the second man allegedly shouted gang slogans and pulled their guns, firing three times at the rivals.
Caught in the crossfire were 32-year-old Letitia Barrera, who was at the front gate to her home at 4819 S. Seeley Av. with her three children, ages 6, 4 and 2, when the gunshots rang out.
Hogan said she paid with her life.
"As she shielded her children with her body, the victim was struck by one bullet in the head," he said.
Hogan said four eyewitnesses identified Avila as one of the gunmen, and said that a few days after the shooting, Avila allegedly admitted to the shooting.
Defense attorney Michael Gillespie said the shooting was "tragic," but told Judge Boyle, "My client had nothing to do with it."
Avila returns to court April 16.
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