Mario Pozuelos, a 26-year-old Hispanic male, tragically lost his life on December 11, 2022, in a shooting incident outside the Vera Lounge in Portage Park, Chicago. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. during a party for the bar owner's niece. The shooter, identified as 32-year-old Samuel Parsons-Salas, had been asked to leave the party following a disturbance. Parsons-Salas, who was on parole at the time, retrieved a gun from a vehicle and opened fire during a confrontation outside the bar.
The shooting resulted in the deaths of Mario Pozuelos, Mercedes Imari, a 24-year-old mother, and Ricky Vera, 50, the bar owner's brother. Mariah Vera, the bar owner's niece, was critically injured in the attack.
The investigation revealed that Parsons-Salas had a history of violent behavior and was recently released on parole. He was charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and kidnapping. The graphic surveillance footage showed Parsons-Salas targeting his victims with precision, even shooting some at point-blank range. After the shooting, he forced his girlfriend to drive him away at gunpoint, leading to additional charges of kidnapping.
The community was left in shock by the brutality of the attack. Pozuelos was remembered as a beloved son, brother, nephew, and cousin. His family and friends launched a GoFundMe page to cover his funeral costs. The Chicago Police Superintendent expressed his condolences to the victims' families and emphasized the need for severe consequences for Parsons-Salas, urging the judge to ensure he remains off the streets.
The case against Parsons-Salas is ongoing, with prosecutors highlighting the cold-blooded nature of the crime. They detailed how he shot his victims multiple times, including shooting Mariah Vera in the head as she knelt over her wounded father. The community continues to mourn the loss of Mario Pozuelos and the other victims, while seeking justice for the heinous act that took their lives.
