In a shocking turn of events, a 21-year-old Chicago man, Antonio Reyes, has been officially charged in connection with five separate murders that occurred in 2020. Authorities also linked Reyes to four attempted murders from the same year, painting a grim picture of a violent crime spree.
According to reports from the Chicago Sun-Times, Reyes has been behind bars since he was just 17 years old. His alleged crimes began at the age of 16 when he was accused of fatally shooting 20-year-old Claudio Cossio on April 5, 2020. This tragic incident was one of eight attacks over a nine-month period that authorities believe Reyes was involved in.
The names of his other alleged victims include Francisco Magana, who was killed in March, Damian Duran in May, and Jose Martinez and Justin Gonzalez, who were murdered just a day apart in November 2020. Reyes was officially arraigned for these killings on Tuesday.
Although police have not disclosed the exact locations of the crimes, they have confirmed Reyes’ connection to the violent spree. Additionally, he was charged with attempted murder for a Thanksgiving Day shooting in Gage Park that left a 27-year-old man seriously wounded.
Reyes has remained in custody since December 2020 following his arrest for the murder of Luis Davalos Garcia in June of that year. His extensive criminal record has left many Chicago residents shaken, as they grapple with the reality of such violent acts committed by someone so young.
Authorities continue their investigation into the full scope of Reyes’ alleged crimes. As the legal proceedings unfold, the city waits for justice in this tragic case that has left multiple families mourning the loss of their loved ones.