Alexander Nicolas, a 26-year-old male from West Chicago, Illinois, tragically lost his life on November 9, 2018. On that fateful morning, West Chicago police responded to a 911 call reporting a man lying on the ground in the 600 block of E. Forest Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found Alexander Nicolas lying face up with blood coming from the back of his head. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The initial investigation revealed that the previous night, around 11:19 p.m., Alexander was near his vehicle on E. Forest Avenue when he was approached by two men, Juan Calderon and Emilio Guillen. The two men physically attacked Alexander and ultimately shot him in the head, with Guillen giving the order and Calderon executing the fatal shot.
The investigation into Alexander Nicolas's death was swift and thorough, involving the West Chicago Police Department and the Major Crimes Task Force. Authorities quickly identified Juan Calderon and Emilio Guillen as the primary suspects. Both men were believed to have targeted Alexander because they thought he belonged to a rival gang. The evidence presented at trial was overwhelming, leading to the conviction of both men. Juan Calderon, 25, and Emilio Guillen, 31, were each sentenced to fifty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. They were required to serve 100% of their sentences before being eligible for parole.
The murder of Alexander Nicolas had a profound impact on his family and friends. The senseless killing left a permanent void in their lives, and the community mourned the loss of a young man whose life was cut short by violence. The legal proceedings brought some measure of justice, but the pain and loss experienced by Alexander's loved ones could never be fully alleviated. The case highlighted the devastating consequences of gang-related violence and the importance of continued efforts to combat such crimes in the community.
