Alfonso Juan Calderon Jr., a 24-year-old Hispanic male, was fatally shot on April 9, 2017, in the East Side neighborhood of Chicago, IL. Calderon Jr. was standing in a vacant lot in the 10700 block of South Green Bay Avenue when he was approached by two males who fired multiple shots at him. He sustained gunshot wounds to his chest, arm, and hand. Despite being rushed to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, he was pronounced dead at 9:07 p.m.
that evening.
The investigation into Calderon Jr.'s death revealed that he was a member of the Latin Kings gang. This affiliation played a significant role in the circumstances surrounding his murder. In 2018, Alonza Horta, a 23-year-old male from Hammond, Indiana, was indicted along with more than 30 other alleged members of the Latin Kings. Horta was later sentenced to 27 years in prison for his involvement in the murder of Calderon Jr. The case highlighted the ongoing gang violence and the challenges faced by law enforcement in curbing such activities.
The legal proceedings and investigations into Calderon Jr.'s death were part of a broader effort to dismantle the Latin Kings' operations in the Chicago area. The indictment of Horta and other gang members was a significant step in addressing the violence and criminal activities associated with the gang. The case also underscored the importance of community cooperation and the need for comprehensive strategies to combat gang-related violence in Chicago.
