Elmhurst Road Rage Shooting Suspect Gets 18 Years

ELMHURST, IL – A man who shot another person in a car in Elmhurst eight years ago was sentenced to 18 years in prison, prosecutors said Tuesday.

At the time, police said Angelo Navarro, then 23, shot a 65-year-old man in the face at York Street and Diversey Avenue. It was considered a case of road rage.

After a three-day bench trial last fall, a DuPage County judge found Navarro, now 31, guilty of aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated discharge of a firearm.

Prosecutors said Navarro, of Melrose Park, must serve 85 percent of his sentence. That means he could be released as early as 2041.

During the afternoon of Oct. 28, 2017, Navarro was in front of the victim as they waited to turn left, police said.

The 65-year-old went around Navarro at the intersection and drove away. Navarro followed the man, tailgating him.

Navarro then pulled his car into oncoming traffic next to the driver's side of the victim's car, firing his gun, police said.

In a statement, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said the victim is still suffering physically and emotionally from his injuries.

"I remind the public once again that if you find yourself involved in a traffic altercation, do not take matters into your own hands," Berlin said. "Remain calm, don't let your emotions get the better of you and if necessary, call 9-1-1."

In a 2020 trial, a jury found Navarro guilty. Afterward, the judge granted Navarro's request for a new trial, saying jury verdicts had been legally inconsistent.

This is a 2017 mugshot of Angelo Navarro, 31, of Melrose Park, who was sentenced Tuesday to 18 years in prison. (DuPage County State's Attorney's Office)