Latest news with #AndresVasquezLasso
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
Closing arguments begin Monday in Chicago police officer Andrés Mauricio Vásquez Lasso murder trial
Closing arguments will begin Monday in the trial of Steven Montano, accused of killing Chicago police officer Andres Vasquez Lasso in 2023. Closing arguments are set to begin at any moment as the end of the trial nears. On Friday, Montano took the stand in his own defense. Wearing a pinstriped suit, Montano told the jury he shot officer Vasquez Lasso "out of pure fear." He described past negative experiences with police and said those encounters shaped his state of mind that day in March of 2023. That day began with a domestic disturbance call. When officers arrived, including Officer Vasquez Lasso, Montano said he jumped out a window with a gun in his hand. He testified that he heard a voice telling him to stop near a playground, and without knowing it was an officer, he opened fire. Montano told the court he didn't think and just reacted. When asked if he believed police would have shot him even if he surrendered, he said, "Yes." Montano faces a first-degree murder charge, as well as charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and opening fire near a school building. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
CBS News
15-07-2025
- CBS News
Trial to begin for Steven Montano, charged with murder of CPD Officer Andrés Mauricio Vásquez Lasso
The trial was set to begin Tuesday for the man charged with killing Chicago Police Officer Andrés Mauricio Vásquez Lasso. Steven Montano, 21, is charged with first-degree murder and other felony charges. The 16 jurors chosen in his trial will be officially sworn in on Tuesday, and then prosecutors and defense attorneys will present their opening statements. Vásquez Lasso was shot and killed in March of 2023 while responding to a domestic violence call at Montano's home in Gage Park. Prosecutors have said Montano's girlfriend called 911 after he threatened her with a gun, and Montano jumped out of the window of the house and ran away from police. Vásquez Lasso chased Montano on foot past Sawyer Elementary School where Vásquez Lasso got out of his squad car and chased Montano through a gate into the schoolyard. Prosecutors said the officer ordered Montano to stop several times, and Montano turned toward him while racking the slide on his handgun and pointed it at him. Both fired their guns, prosecutors said. Vásquez Lasso was shot in the head, arm, and leg and killed. Montano was shot in the mouth and fully recovered. The judge told the jury in Montano's case to expect the trial to last at least a week.
