CHICAGO — Prosecutors have charged a Chicago man with multiple counts of murder for allegedly participating in an attack that left three men, including one of his accomplices, dead.
Jesus Franco, 19, is not accused of firing any shots during the attack, which occurred in the 3100 block of West 39th Place early on November 4. One of his accomplices is, though.
Franco drove himself, 19-year-old Hugo Gallardo, the 28-year-old accomplice, and a fourth person to the Brighton Park location, according to prosecutors. They said Franco, Gallardo, and the older man got out and attacked two men who were sitting inside another vehicle, Cartel Parks and Darrick Byrd, both 29.
During the assault, the fourth person emerged from Franco’s car and tried to pull Gallardo away from the attack. The 28-year-old accomplice shot both of them, prosecutors said in Franco’s detention petition. Gallardo was killed. Officials said the accomplice also shot and killed Parks and Byrd.
After the shooting, Franco drove the gunman away from the scene, leaving Parks, Byrd, and Gallardo dead at the scene, prosecutors alleged.
Chicago police identified Franco through surveillance video and witness statements. They arrested him on Friday.
Judge Barbara Dawkins granted the state’s petition to have Franco detained while awaiting trial. He is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of murder during the commission of another forcible felony, and unlawful vehicular invasion.
Detectives have identified the 28-year-old accomplice. Chicago police radio dispatchers have been regularly broadcasting citywide “be on the lookout” messages about him.
