Teen Charged With Murder In Slayings Of 2 Men In West Chicago

WEST CHICAGO, IL — A West Chicago teen has been charged with murder after two men were found dead in a car in the 700 block of West Forest Avenue Saturday. Xavier Arevalo, 17, was charged with first-degree murder and attempted armed robbery with a firearm in connection with the fatal shooting of Antonio Delgado and Alejandro Rios.

The shooting took place amid what was meant to be the purchase of THC cartridges, according to prosecutors.

Police were called to the scene around 6:15 p.m. and arrived to find Delgado and Rios dead in the car, with gunshot wounds in their chests and faces. A search of the car led police to find THC cartridges, and two loaded guns, a news release said.

Related: 2 Found Shot Dead, 1 Hurt In West Chicago: Police

Arevalo and Ivan Ramirez, 18, who was hospitalized with a gunshot wound after the incident, set up a meeting with Rios and Delgado to buy THC cartridges, according to prosecutors. Arevalo and Ramirez are accused of approaching the Honda, with Arevalo getting into the front seat and Ramirez getting into the backseat.

Arevalo and Ramirez are accused of telling Delgado and Rios that they were being robbed. According to police, Delgado and Rios were armed at the time of the incident.

Prosecutors say Arevalo shot Rios in the chest and head before shooting Delgado "multiple times" in the chest, a news release said. Arevalo and Rios are accused of fleeing the scene after the shooting.

Arevalo was taken into custody at a nearby hospital, where Ramirez was still hospitalized.

“The violent shooting death of two men, allegedly at the hands of a seventeen-year-old, will not be tolerated in DuPage County and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

Berlin added, “Acts of extreme violence, as alleged in this case, not only affect the family of the deceased, but also blanket the entire community in fear and disbelief that such a horrible event happened just outside their front door. I offer my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the victims on their loss. I thank the West Chicago Police Department for their outstanding efforts in piecing together what allegedly occurred last Saturday night that resulted in the murder of two men."

Arevalo is set to appear in court Dec. 9. Ramirez, who faces the same charges, will appear in court sometime after he is released from the hospital.