A Chicago man will spend decades behind bars for a 2022 shooting that claimed the lives of a teenager and an adult.
Edwin Lagunas, now 21, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder this week.
The conviction stems from a violent outbreak at a garage party in the Austin neighborhood.
In November 2022, gunfire erupted in the 5800 block of West Augusta Boulevard.
Ruby Navarrete, a 15-year-old girl from Cicero, was killed in the chaos.
Lynner Hawkins, a 44-year-old man from Gary, also lost his life in the shooting.
A third victim survived the attack but sustained injuries.
Lagunas was just 18 years old when Chicago police arrested him for the double homicide.
The party had been widely advertised on social media, drawing dozens of people from across the region.
Witnesses described a scene of pure terror as the shots rang out around 11:40 p.m.
Cell phone video captured the final moments of peace as guests danced just before the violence began.
Terrified teenagers were seen jumping over fences to escape the hail of bullets.
A sign on the garage door reportedly stated that all guests were subject to search and weapons were banned.
Despite the warning, the night ended in a senseless tragedy that devastated two families.
Lagunas was sentenced to 40 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
He must serve 100% of that sentence under state law.
The court granted him credit for the 1,148 days he has already spent in custody.
Violence in Austin
The Austin neighborhood has long struggled with the impact of large, unregulated gatherings.
Garage parties and “pop-up” events often become targets for outside violence due to social media promotion.
This specific block of West Augusta Boulevard has seen a rise in police patrols following the 2022 tragedy.
Community leaders have repeatedly called for more oversight on social media-advertised events to protect local youth.
The deaths of Navarrete and Hawkins remain a somber reminder of the risks associated with these crowded venues.
