Life Plus 60 Years For Louis’ Restaurant Killer

JOLIET, IL — A Joliet man was sentenced to life in prison plus another 60 years for gunning down an ex-convict as he ate breakfast with his family in a crowded local restaurant.

Christopher Leon “Little” Thompson, 34, shot Gerardo Franchini nine times at point-blank range in August 2013.

Franchini, 29, was eating breakfast with his wife, his 5-year-old daughter and his 4-year-old niece in a booth at Louis’ Restaurant. Thompson walked into the West Jefferson Street restaurant and argued with Franchini, then opened fire.

“The two men had been involved in an ongoing dispute when Thompson walked into the restaurant and saw his rival dining with his family,” according to a statement released by the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office. “Thompson walked up to the booth and exchanged heated words with Franchini before leaving the restaurant.”

Thompson came back about 15 minutes later with his face partially covered by a shirt. He shot Franchini three times in the face and another six times in his body.

Franchini died a few hours later at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center. He was 29.

Thompson was found guilty in February.

During his bond hearing, Thompson insisted he was never even in the restaurant and that he is “scared” of guns.

“I’m scared. I got shot nine times. I don’t want to see a gun,” Thompson blurted out during the hearing.

“Your honor, I’m the victim,” Thompson told the judge. “I’m the one that got shot in the face and now I’m being framed.”

Franchini was on parole when he was killed. He had served time in prison for the manufacture or delivery of cocaine.

Franchini was also charged with a murder of his own in 2007, according to court records.

Franchini allegedly murdered Brenda Greenwood and wounded Merced Costilla during a January 2007 break-in. A jury found Franchini not guilty of all charges the following year.

A second man charged with the killing, Jaime Casillas, was also acquitted.

State’s Attorney James Glasgow called Thompson’s crime one of “unrivaled brutality.”

“Christopher Thompson committed a crime of unrivaled brutality and he will never be free to walk our streets again,” Glasgow said. “He gunned down an unarmed man in cold blood and displayed a demonic disregard for the safety of the children and everyone in that crowded restaurant.”

photo via the Will County Sheriff's Department