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In a sentence reflective of his shocking and callous crimes, 18-year-old Christian Acevedo was handed 46 years behind bars on Monday after admitting to the brutal murders of two fellow high school students outside Benito Juarez Community Academy in 2022. At the tender age of just 16, Acevedo found himself caught in a web of crime, his violent path forever changing the course of not just his life, but also the lives of two innocents: 15-year-old Brandon Perez and 14-year-old Nathan Billegas.

Victims of what investigators classified as a gang-related fatal shooting, these young men had untapped potential and futures brimming with promise. Perez, known as a proud Juarez student, dreamed of crafting a successful career in construction and establishing his own business. Billegas, meanwhile, was an ambitious student at the Chicago Bulls College Prep on the Near West Side and was at Juarez only to pick up his sister, a student there. Two other teenagers, both aged 14, were also gravely wounded in this tragic, senseless event.

On that fateful Monday, Acevedo pled guilty to a count of attempted murder and two counts of first-degree murder. The court, presided over by Judge Mary Margaret Brosnahan, delivered justice in the form of a lengthy sentence: 20 years in prison for each murder count, plus an additional 6 years for the charge of attempted murder. It’s important to note that these sentences will not overlap but instead be served consecutively. Moreover, Acevedo is obliged to serve the full term for murder and a minimum of 85% of the time for attempted murder.

Based on court records, Acevedo has remained in detention since February 2023, when he was first apprehended for these heinous crimes.

Investigators discovered that Acevedo had a troubled history during his school years at Juarez. Ejected due to disciplinary issues, poor academic performance, and erratic attendance following the 2020-21 academic year, Acevedo was also believed to be a member of a local gang. Adding another layer to his criminal tendencies, evidence suggested he was drawn to activities that supported his gang affiliations.

On the day Perez and Billegas would meet their tragic ends, they were with a 14-year-old companion underneath an overpass linking the old and new sections of Juarez school, near an area often referred to as “the Rock.” Suddenly, they found themselves embroiled in a contentious, gang-related confrontation with another group. Word spread among those present that Acevedo, known for his associations with gang activities, was nearby and looking to stir up trouble. Moments later, Acevedo approached Perez, boldly inquiring about his possible gang affiliation.

What ensued next was a hail of bullets. Acevedo started to withdraw from the confrontation but abruptly pivoted, opening fire upon the unsuspecting teens. The dreadful aftermath: the deaths of Perez and Billegas and two other youngsters seriously injured.

In the midst of this terror, a courageous bystander managed to take an incriminating photo of Acevedo, gun in hand, not long after the fatal shooting. This, along with surveillance footage revealing Acevedo loitering in the vicinity both before and after the horrific event, served as critical evidence in the case.

Police retrieved eight .357-caliber shell casings stamped Winchester 357 sig from the crime scene. Ballistic analysis suggested all had been discharged from the same firearm, further implicating Acevedo in the crime. This tangible evidence, along with the accounts from two eyewitnesses who identified Acevedo as the shooter and a police officer’s recognition of him from previous encounters, sealed Acevedo’s fate.

But, despite the conviction, the aftermath of this devastating event, underscored by the youthful age of the victims and the prime suspect, presents a somber portrait of youth derailed by violence and gang affiliation. While the punishment may serve as a deterrent, it also serves as a bitter reminder that a proactive approach towards building supportive environments for at-risk teens is direly needed.

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