Man Accused Of Supplying Assault Weapon Used In Triple Murder
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Bond has been set at $2.5 million for a 22-year-old man charged with supplying the assault weapon used to kill three teenagers on the Southeast Side two years ago.
Cook County prosecutors said Geovanni Edmund Lopez, a Latin Kings gang member, retrieved the loaded, imported Eastern European rifle from fellow gang member Martin Ybarra Jr.'s home, then gave it to Ybarra to use in their ongoing battle with the Black P Stones on Feb. 20, 2009.
Lopez, 22, then got into the car with Ybarra, who then started his bloody siege on foot and ended it with his body hanging outside a vehicle, spraying bullets near 87th and Exchange, Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Melissa Howlett said.
As he aimed for a 24-year-old rival gang member, Ybarra allegedly gunned down 13-year-old Johnny Edwards and Bowen High students Kendrick Pitts, 17, and Raheem Washington, 15.
Johnny, shot once in the back, apparently died next to his brother, who cried out for help.
The older teens were shot five times each from the weapon, which has since been recovered, Howlett said.
Just six months before the fatal shootings, Ybarra stood trial for a 2005 fatal shooting near the same corner. He was acquitted.
Ybarra, now 23, was arrested just days following the triple homicide. He has been ordered held without bail and is awaiting trial.
Howlett said police have been looking for Lopez ever since. The Lansing man who is known as "Cali" was arrested for the murders on Christmas.
Lopez, the father of two children under the age four, has prior convictions for unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, robbery and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
(The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.)
