Man Guilty Of 'Cold-Blooded' 2016 Murder At Aurora Club: Jury

AURORA, IL — Just over two years after Martiniano Alvarez, 31, was shot to death at a club in Aurora, his killer has been brought to justice. Alfredo Soto, 50, was convicted by a jury Monday of first-degree murder in the death of Alvarez. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

On Aug.1 in 2016, Soto and Alvarez shared drinks at East Side Social Club in the 1300 block of Dearborn. Eyewitnesses described the interaction as a "normal conversation." Just after 6:30 p.m., surveillance video shows Soto getting up from the bar and asking Alvarez to join him.

Soto then pulled out a semi-automatic handgun, the footage shows, and fired four shots at Alvarez. One shot struck Alvarez in his left temple. Alvarez later succumbed to the wound at a hospital in the area.

Soto was arrested and charged shortly after the murder. He was held on $5 million bail, but the guilty verdict led a judge to revoke Soto's bond.

After the verdict, Kane County Assistant State's Attorney William Engerman said, "This jury saw through Mr. Soto’s claim of self-defense and rendered the appropriate verdict for what was a cold-blooded and violent act. As a result Mr. Soto will go to prison for what in essence is a life sentence."

Soto will appear in court again on Sept. 21 to get a court date for sentencing.

Image via Kane County Sheriff's Office