Life sentence for man who killed Chicago police Officer Andrés Mauricio Vásquez Lasso
A judge handed down a sentence of natural life in prison Tuesday for the man who shot and killed Chicago police Officer Andrés Mauricio Vásquez Lasso in 2023.
In July, Steven Montano was found guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Jurors also found that Montano caused the death of a peace officer while performing his duties.
Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke confirmed Montano's sentence at a news conference outside court at the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse. Criminal Court Judge John F. Lyke Jr. handed down the sentence.
"Officer Vásquez Lasso was doing his job that he took an oath to do, to protect and serve," said O'Neill Burke. "So while we are gratified with the sentence today, nothing will heal the loss that Officer Vásquez Lasso's family, his loved ones, or his fellow officers have suffered because of this."
Chicago Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara commented on Montano's sentence at the news conference Tuesday.
"It's never wrapped up," Catanzara said. "[Vásquez Lasso's] mom framed it very well — you're in a hole. You never want to come out of that hole. It's a loss that they'll never get over, and she says Andres was the breadwinner for the family."
On March 1, 2023, fallen officer Vásquez Lasso responded to a domestic violence call in the Gage Park neighborhood.
Linda Pirea, 37, called 911, according to prosecutors, because she believed her boyfriend [Montano], who was 18 at the time, was chasing her with a gun. The woman involved previously maintained she did not call 911 and said she was not threatened.
Using body-worn camera video, surveillance cameras, and witness testimony, the state showed at trial that Montano was running from police until he and Officer Vásquez Lasso got to a school playground, where prosecutors say Montano shot and killed him.
The defense argued at trial that the defendant's previous experiences with police made him fear for his safety.
Montano also testified in his own defense and admitted he heard the word "stop" as Vásquez Lasso pursued him, but said he didn't know an officer was behind him.