On December 15, 2019, at approximately 11:55pm, the DeKalb Police Department responded to 904 W. Hillcrest Drive in reference to a report of gunfire. As a DeKalb Police Officer was arriving on scene, he observed a suspicious vehicle leaving the area at a high rate of speed. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle as it fled from the area. The vehicle refused to stop when the officer activated his emergency lights and siren. As this occurred, officers on scene at 904 W. Hillcrest advised they had located a victim who sustained multiple gunshot wounds. DeKalb Fire was summoned to treat and transport the victim who was taken to Northwestern Medicine -Kishwaukee Community Hospital.
Officers continued to pursue the above vehicle which eventually stopped in 14000 block of Plank Road (rural Sycamore). The suspect vehicle was occupied by three subjects. Two of the subjects inside the vehicle were found to have sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics were summoned to the scene. Officers administered first aid to those that were injured. The injured subjects from this vehicle were transported to Northwestern Medicine – Kishwaukee Community Hospital where one of the subjects was pronounced deceased as a result from their injuries. The driver of this vehicle was uninjured.
This investigation has shown that two residents of 904 W. Hillcrest were returning home shortly before midnight on December 15th. As the residents entered their apartment building, they were confronted by two men brandishing firearms who demanded their money. The suspects attempted to restrain both victims. One of the victims resisted the suspects’ efforts in restraining him and attempted to gain control over one of the offender’s firearms. During this struggle, multiple shots were fired causing the listed injuries. The victim and one suspect remain hospitalized in stable condition.
With the assistance from the DeKalb County States Attorney’s Office, several search warrants were obtained and executed. During the subsequent searches, three handguns were located and seized. Two of those handguns are believed to have been used during this incident. This investigation is ongoing at this time. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, Northern Illinois University Police Department, Sycamore Police Department, and the DeKalb and Sycamore Fire Departments assisted in this investigation.
Charges:
Vanity L. Garcia, 28 years of age of the 900 Block of Symphony Dr., Aurora, IL 60504 has been charged with Concealment of a Homicidal Death (Class 3 Felony), Aggravated Fleeing to Elude (Class 4 Felony-2 counts), and Driving While License Suspended (Class A Misdemeanor).
Additional charges and arrests are pending further investigation.
Contact: Detective Commander Bob Redel Interim Chief John Petragallo
The contents of this article are based upon the best information available to the DeKalb Police Department. The statements regarding the conduct of any person identified above are allegations until affirmatively proven in court. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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