Usbaldo Arbelo, a 36-year-old Hispanic male, was tragically shot to death on November 5, 2020, in Chicago, Illinois. The incident occurred in the Avondale neighborhood, where Arbelo was living with his girlfriend and her 17-year-old son, Victor Quiroz. On the night of the incident, Arbelo and his girlfriend had been out celebrating his birthday. Upon returning home, an argument ensued between Arbelo and Quiroz, reportedly over a broken rear door that Quiroz had previously complained about.
The argument escalated, and Quiroz allegedly shot Arbelo 13 times while his mother was asleep in another room. Arbelo succumbed to his injuries before he could be taken to the hospital.
Victor Quiroz, a high school student who was working at a pizzeria and preparing to attend college or trade school, turned himself in to the police a few days after the incident. He was charged as an adult with first-degree murder and was ordered to be held without bail. During the court proceedings, Quiroz's defense attorney suggested that the shooting might have been in self-defense, although no clear motive was provided by the prosecutors. The case drew significant attention due to the severity of the crime and the young age of the suspect.
The investigation revealed that 17 spent 9-mm shell casings were collected at the scene, indicating the intensity of the shooting. Quiroz's mother, who was devastated by the incident, found Arbelo bleeding in a bedroom after hearing several loud bangs. She asked a neighbor to call the police and waited in the hallway until officers arrived. The case against Victor Quiroz continued to unfold, with his next court appearance scheduled for December 14, 2020. The tragic death of Usbaldo Arbelo left a profound impact on his family and the community, highlighting the devastating consequences of domestic disputes escalating into violence.
