A Melrose Park man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for a road rage shooting in Elmhurst.
Angelo Navarro, 31, was sentenced today for opening fire on another driver during a traffic altercation in Fall 2017.
Navarro was sentenced after being found guilty in a three-day bench trial before Judge Daniel Guerin that concluded on September 11.
Guerin convicted Navarro of aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated discharge of a firearm.
In 2020, a jury found Navarro guilty of both charges, as well as reckless discharge.
A month after the October 2020 verdict, the court approved the defense’s demand for a new trial, citing the jury verdicts as legally incongruous.
On October 28, 2017, at 2 p.m., Elmhurst police responded to an accident at York Road and Diversey Avenue. When they arrived, authorities discovered a vehicle with a damaged driver’s side window.
Officers also discovered the driver outside the vehicle, bleeding from his face. He was taken to a hospital, where he had surgery for his injuries. The man was shot in the left cheek, and the bullet exited his right cheek.
Following an investigation, authorities discovered that Navarro and the victim were both waiting at an intersection, with Navarro ahead of the victim. The victim drove around Navarro and fled, but Navarro pursued him and began tailgating.
Navarro then pulled into the oncoming traffic lane next to the victim’s car and shot his gun through the front passenger side window, striking the victim in the face.
“Mr. Navarro’s incredible display of complete disregard for public safety will cost him 18 years of his life behind bars,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said. “In addition to shooting at another motorist, his actions not only endangered the life of the passengers in his vehicle, but also the lives of the motoring public. Thankfully, no other innocent motorists were injured.
“I wish the best to the victim of this shooting who is still physically and emotionally recovering from his injuries. I remind the public once again that if you find yourself involved in a traffic altercation, do not take matters into your own hands. Remain calm, don’t let your emotions get the better of you and if necessary, call 911.
Navarro will have to spend 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
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