Mom Of Slain Teen Denied No-Contact Orders Against Accused Men

ROMEOVILLE, IL — A woman was denied emergency stalking no-contact orders against two Romeoville men facing drug and firearms charges in connection with the shooting death of her 18-year-old son, Carlos Gasca, but the petition will be back in court later this month. Dolores Garcia filed for no-contact orders against Eric Alhourani and Marco Mesina, both 20, on May 29.

Gasca was shot Jan. 17 near Weber and Airport roads, Romeoville police believe. He was pronounced dead early Jan. 18.

Garcia told the Herald-News she requested the no-contact orders after visiting her son's grave on his birthday, May 28, and seeing Alhourani with Gasca's younger brother. She described the incident "a big punch in the gut for me."

Garcia also claims Alhourani is trying to "brainwash" Gasca's 17-year-old brother with texts and Snapchat messages trying to get the teen to persuade her to stop pushing for more charges.

Although a GoFundMe page apparently created by Garcia calls her son's death a "tragic accident," Garcia told the Herald-News she does not believe the shooting was accidental and wants more serious charges filed against Alhourani.

Alhourani, of the 300 block of Richfield Trail, was initially jailed on charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, reckless discharge of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance and obstructing justice. He now faces multiple felonies, including eight counts of armed violence, possession of a controlled substance, possession of cannabis, possession of LSD, manufacturing ecstasy, manufacture/delivery of cannabis, four counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon without a FOID card and reckless discharge of a firearm.

Marco Mesina, of the 1900 block of Wheatfield Drive, was originally jailed on charges of possession of a controlled substance and obstructing justice and was additionally charged with six counts of armed violence, possession of LSD, manufacturing ecstasy, possession of a controlled substance, manufacture/delivery of cannabis, possession of cannabis and four counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon without a FOID card.

Mesina was released Jan. 31 after putting up 10 percent of a $1 million bond. Alhourani was released Feb. 26 after posting 10 percent of a reduced $500,000 bond, down from $1.25 million, according to Will County jail and court records.

A hearing on Garcia's petition is set for June 24, the same date both Mesina and Alhourani are due back in court for pretrial hearings.

According to a Facebook page that apparently belonged to Gasca, he attended Plainfield East High School. The GoFundMe page for his family pays tribute to the teen:

Now, we are left with broken hearts as we prepare to say goodbye to this sweet son, big brother, an amazing teenager whose life was cut way too short. We will remember Carlos for his kindness, his sweet and quiet personality, and his warm and gentle smile. He leaves behind beautiful memories and we were blessed to have had him in our lives.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.