CHICAGO, IL – Antonio Reyes, a 21-year-old already behind bars for murder, is now accused of five additional killings, according to Chicago authorities. The alleged crimes, committed when Reyes was a teenager, have left families mourning their loved ones.
For nearly five years, the families of four victims have waited for answers, now learning that the same suspect may be responsible for their losses. The killings, described as random, have reopened old wounds for these grieving families.
One mother recalls the heart-wrenching call she received in 2020, a moment that forever altered her life. Nearly five years on, the pain is still raw as she learns of the new charges against the alleged serial gunman.
Reyes, who was just 16 or 17 at the time of the alleged crimes, is now facing five new murder charges and four attempted murder charges related to surviving victims. The murder spree reportedly spanned from March 2020 to November 2020, with Reyes in custody since the end of that year.
The senseless violence is hard for many to fathom. Claudio Cosio, a UPS worker and father, was gunned down while waiting in his car. His death is one of several where victims were simply living their lives when tragedy struck.
Another victim was shot while taking his family to get a new puppy, later dying from his injuries. Investigators linked the crimes using ballistic evidence, social media, witness statements, and digital data. The motive remains unknown, as none of the victims had ties to Reyes.
For the victims’ families, the justice process is just beginning, though the pain of their loss is everlasting. One mother expressed relief that the suspect is no longer a threat, but her grief remains profound.
Reyes, familiar with the criminal justice system, is also accused of trying to kill his cellmate with a shank made from a nail and is linked to another shooting in 2020. His legal battles are far from over as the case unfolds.