Chicago man charged with first-degree murder following fatal shooting during Cicero riots

CICERO - A Chicago man was charged Thursday with first-degree murder following the fatal shooting of a man during June 1 rioting in Cicero.

Zion Haygood was arrested and charged in the murder of Jose Gutierrez, 28, who allegedly was shot at about 6:15 p.m. at Cermak Road and 50th Avenue, according to Cicero police.

Gutierrez, of the 5000 block of North Kenmore Avenue, was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 9:53 p.m., police said.

Gutierrez was not involved in the rioting, police said. Rather, he was a bystander during the violence that erupted in Cicero during demonstrations to protest the death of George Floyd.

Witnesses provided information on the offending vehicle, Cicero police quickly spotted the car, and placed three suspects, including Haygood, in custody. Information on the two suspects has not yet been released.

Gutierrez was one of two people killed during the violence. The other was Victor M. Cazares Jr., 27, who was shot at about 6 p.m. outside the Super Espiga Grocery store, 4917 W. 14th St., police said.

Cicero Deputy Superintendent Luis Gutierrez said an investigation into that shooting is ongoing.

Cicero police arrested 60 individuals during violence that reportedly started about 4:30 p.m. during an attempted looting of El Patron Sports Bar, 2260 S. Cicero Ave., Cicero spokesman Ray Hanania said in a statement.

Twenty four individuals were arrested for burglary or theft, 27 for other crimes, six for unlawful use of a weapon and the three in the investigation in relation to the homicide, Gutierrez said.

"A lot of the problems that occurred were from groups of citizens who were encountering groups of protesters, citizens who were trying to protect their neighborhoods and protesters," Gutierrez said during a June 2 press conference. "There were a lot of actions which resulted in a lot of fights and resulted in two of the shootings that we had. That's why we are asking all citizens to stay in their houses so we do not have these clashes."

Cicero also closed roads, including Cicero Avenue from Roosevelt Road to Ogden Avenue, Cermak Road from 46th Avenue to 50th Avenue and 16th Street from 46th Avenue to Cicero Avenue.

Employees of some Cicero businesses reportedly were outside of their stores armed with clubs and bats. Town officials urged them to remain inside and allow police to handle the protesters.

Cicero had more than 100 police officers on the street and was assisted by the Cook County Sheriff and the Illinois State Police, Gutierrez said.