Chicago authorities have disclosed new murder charges against a man accused of killing six individuals within a span of nine months in 2020 during his teenage years. Antonio Reyes, now 21, faces five felony counts of first-degree murder and four felony counts of attempted first-degree murder, as announced by Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling at a news briefing on Wednesday.
Superintendent Snelling expressed shock at the disregard for human life displayed by the offender. He noted that taking multiple lives in a single year is difficult to comprehend. Reyes has been in custody at Cook County jail since 2021, waiting for trial on previous murder and attempted murder charges related to the killing of a sixth victim in June 2020.
The newly announced charges against Reyes pertain to incidents that occurred between March and November 2020, involving victims aged between 16 and 31. Among the charges are attempted murders of children aged 3 to 9 who were present with an adult victim during a shooting spree.
Reyes is also accused of the killing of a 21-year-old man at a gas station in April 2020 and an attempted murder incident involving another victim. Prosecutor Eileen O’Neill Burke highlighted the tragic circumstances surrounding the victims, including those innocently going about their daily routines before being fatally attacked.
While detained, Reyes allegedly attempted to harm his cellmate with a weapon. Authorities commended detectives for their relentless pursuit of justice over the years and emphasized their commitment to seeking closure for the victims’ families and the community.
Despite no apparent connections between the victims and Reyes prior to the crimes, investigators managed to piece together evidence, including the recovery of a firearm and social media activity. Police are continuing to explore potential associations Reyes may have had in relation to other criminal incidents.
Nohemi Cossio, the mother of one of the victims, Claudio Cassio, expressed relief that justice may finally be served after a prolonged wait. She sees the legal proceedings as a step towards healing and obtaining justice for her son and the other victims.
“Reyes entered a plea of not guilty to the additional charges pressed against him this week during his arraignment on Tuesday. CNN is in the process of verifying if he has legal representation. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 18, specifically for a detention hearing related to these charges. The state’s attorney office has confirmed that he is currently in custody without the option for bail. For the latest updates from CNN and to receive newsletters, sign up for an account on CNN.com.”
