Man Sentenced In Fatal Stabbing

KANE COUNTY, IL — An Elgin man will go to prison for his role in the 2017 stabbing death of 36-year-old Bayron Cruz-Garcia of Elgin. On Thursday, Gabriel M. Lopez, 28, pleaded guilty to a first-degree murder charge and was sentenced to 25 years in prison, according to a news release from the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors say the charge stems from a Aug. 11, 2017, incident when a co-defendant in the case, Carlos Lopez, allegedly offered to pay Gabriel Lopez and co-defendant Michael Giacomino $300 to beat up Cruz-Garcia, whom Carlos Lopez claimed owed him money. Gabriel Lopez, of the 600 block of St. Charles Street in Elgin, and Giacomino agreed, according to the news release.

A fourth person drove the three co-defendants to a business in the 1100 block of Jansen Farm Drive in Elgin where they saw Cruz-Garcia enter an SUV, according to a news release.

The men approached the SUV, and then Gabriel Lopez opened the SUV door and Carlos Lopez pulled the man out of the vehicle. The three men allegedly punched and kicked him several times, and continued to punch and kick him after he fell to the ground.

Carlos Lopez then stabbed the Bayron Cruz-Garcia numerous times with a steak knife, according to authorities.

Cruz-Garcia died as a result of the injuries sustained during the beating and stabbing, authorities said.

In accordance with Illinois law, Gabriel Lopez must serve the full sentence. Lopez will receive credit for 738 days served in the Kane County jail, where he had been held since his arrest in lieu of $3 million bail.

The charges against Carlos Lopez and Michael Giacomino are pending.