Chicago ‘gang member’ with Down syndrome is charged with TWO murders

A member of the Chicago sect of the Latin Kings gang who has been diagnosed with Down syndrome is accused of killing a man in front of his pregnant wife in a road rant and then killing a man in a case of mistaken identity ten days later .

The murders were committed by Nicholas ‘Smush’ Samudio, 22, and took place in February, authorities in Chicago say.

On Feb. 16, Samudio is charged with shooting Humberto Marin-Garcia, 28, dead after a traffic accident in the Bridgeport area of ​​the city, while on Feb. 26, he allegedly shot and killed Tomas Villa, 22, in the North Lawndale. neighborhood after mistaking him for a member of a rival gang.

Samudio was arrested along with an alleged accomplice, Moses Maldonado, 21, hours after Villa’s death when Chicago police spotted them driving a stolen Chrysler 300.

During his first court hearing, Samudio’s lawyer announced that his client had been diagnosed with Down syndrome, a condition that causes both mental and physical disabilities.

Humberto Marin-Garcia was shot dead on February 16 in front of his pregnant wife after a traffic accident

Ten days later, Tomas Villa was shot dead after Samudio assumed he was a member of a rival gang because of the hat he was wearing.

His lawyer also said that Samudio worked for a demolition company as well as a furniture mover.

The suspect is suspected of murder, attempted manslaughter and violently firing a firearm.

Online records show that Samudio has been arrested 17 times since his 18th birthday.

On Tuesday, Chicago voters rejected candidate Paul Vallas, who had pledged a tough stance on crime in the Windy City in favor of Brandon Johnson, the progressive community organizer seeking more funding for mental health and youth programs to help curb the crime epidemic. fight city.

Samudio was previously considered a person of interest in the 2020 murder of Jean Carlo Cobian in the McKinley Park neighborhood, but he was never charged in the case.

Cobian was found shot to the back of the head close to his parked car. According to his family, he was on his way home when he was killed NBC Chicago.

Maldonado has been on parole since October 2022. In addition, according to his lawyer, he will soon become his father.

After the shooting of Garcia on Feb. 16, Samudio was under police surveillance after an “extensive investigation,” reports the Chicago Sun Times.

According to the paper’s report, Garcia was killed around 9:30 p.m. after “a traffic accident that ran across the highway.” Police said the driver’s side window of Garcia’s gray SUV was blown out and the car was found after it came to a stop on the highway.

Brandon Johnson, Cook County Commissioner and organizer of the Chicago Teachers Union, was named the new mayor of the Windy City on Tuesday night.

Garcia’s pregnant wife, Mayra Solis, was in the car with him but was unharmed. a GoFundMe page founded by Garcia’s brother has raised more than $10,000 since the murder.

“Humberto was a hard-working family man who put everyone else’s needs and wants above his own. He dedicated his life to his wife and 2 daughters. Humberto was also head over heels in anticipation of the arrival of his second child,” the page reads.

“Our family, especially my cousin and her little girls, are devastated by Humberto’s passing. Our family is doing what we can to raise money to cover the cost of the unexpected funeral expenses and to help with any other unexpected expenses her family will encounter,” it continued.

Ten days later, police say Samudio and Maldonado mistook Tomas Villa for a rival gang member because of his hat. As he walked past the couple’s parked car, Maldonado opened fire, prompting Villa to take cover between two cars.

That’s when Samudio got out of the car and shot Villa dead, police said. The victim was shot several times.

Later that night, police caught up with Samudio and Maldonado and a police chase began. During the chase, Samudio is accused of throwing an object from the car.

Eventually, the pair got out of the car and ran from police, prompting officers to use stun guns on them.

After the chase, investigators found a .380 caliber weapon that matched the shell casings found at the scene of Villa’s murder. Gunshot residue was also found on Samudio’s red Champion hoodie, the Sun-Times reported.

The duo are being held without bail at the Cook County Jail. Judge Barbara Dawkins called the shooting a “bold and brutal offense.”