Street Gang Life

CHICAGO) (WLS) — Jurors deliberated for three hours before convicting an alleged gang member of killing a Chicago police officer. Officer Alejandro Valadez, 27, died in 2009. He worked at District 7 in Englewood. Shawn Gaston, 22, wore a black button-down shirt with his dreadlocks in a ponytail as the verdict was read Wednesday. Valadez’s family cried after the verdict was read. His sister, also a police officer, said she is obviously still devastated. Prosecutors also say that Gaston knew he was shooting at a police officer. Gaston is scheduled to be sentenced at the end of October.

“I took an interest in this case because I thought it was horrific that this young officer, 27, with such a future ahead of him was gunned down in such a senseless way. I got on the case back then in 2009 and I thought it would be important for me as the Cook County state’s attorney to handle the case,” Anita Alvarez said. “Even though the defendant was found guilty, this is not a happy occasion for us because this verdict does not bring Alex back,” said sister Brenda Valadez.