In a dramatic courtroom testimony, Steven Montano, 21, recounted the fateful events of March 1, 2023, when he shot and killed Chicago police Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso.
Montano stated that he acted out of sheer fear, claiming he instinctively turned and opened fire after hearing officers call for him to stop as he fled towards a playground in Gage Park.
“I was terrified,” Montano told the jury. “I felt fear in my heart. I was in fear for my life at that point.”
Facing a first-degree murder charge, Montano explained that a longstanding fear of police motivated his actions that day. He expressed having felt unjustly stopped and searched throughout his life, leading to his repeated attempts to evade officers.
He recalled a specific incident in July 2022, where he was arrested after fleeing from a vehicle implicated in a shooting. During his testimony, Montano asserted that he was unaware of the shooting or the reason police were pursuing him at that time.
Montano revealed that he had dropped out of George Westinghouse College Prep and moved in with his girlfriend, Linda Perea, who was aware of their age difference. Perea, then 37, acknowledged that Montano was the same age as her eldest child, Antonio Reyes, who is currently incarcerated in Cook County Jail on multiple murder charges.
On the day of the shooting, Perea testified that an argument escalated when Montano charged at her, claiming to possess a gun. Concerned for her safety, she called 911, reporting that Montano was armed. However, he disconnected the call and discarded the phone.
Montano recounted that upon the arrival of police, he jumped from a window and bolted towards an alley, armed with a gun. Officer Vasquez Lasso responded and pursued Montano, repeatedly instructing him to stop.
As Montano reached the playground of Sawyer Elementary School, he pointed his weapon at Vasquez Lasso and fired five shots, hitting the officer in the head, arm, and leg. In response, Vasquez Lasso fired twice, with one bullet striking Montano in the face.
The confrontation was captured on Vasquez Lasso’s body camera, which jurors viewed during the trial.
Officer Miguel Enciso arrived shortly after the exchange and found Vasquez Lasso on the ground bleeding from his head while Montano sat nearby, with a gun in close proximity. In a moment of desperation, Montano approached Enciso pleading for the officer to kill him.
As fellow officers rushed to aid Vasquez Lasso, it became apparent that there were no signs of life, as confirmed by testimony given on Tuesday.
Officers swiftly transported Vasquez Lasso to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The trial has unfolded over the past week, revealing emotional testimonies from several police officers who responded to the scene.
Vasquez Lasso was regarded as a representation of the American dream; he emigrated from Colombia at 18, learned English, and joined the Chicago Police Department at the age of 27.
Montano’s defense characterized the incident as an “extremely tragic situation,” arguing against the charge of first-degree murder.
In stark contrast, John Catanzara, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, dismissed Montano’s testimony as “all smoke and mirrors and nonsense.” He emphasized that Montano was aware he was facing consequences for having a gun and the accompanying domestic incident.
“The entire courtroom witnessed the tragedy of the justice system, particularly how it impacts the family of the fallen officer, who had to endure this excuse-making for the act of murder committed by Montano two years ago,” Catanzara stated angrily.
Jurors are expected to return to court on Monday for closing arguments before beginning their deliberations.
image source from：chicago
