Getaway Driver Sentenced to 20 Years for Involvement in Little Village Shooting
The getaway driver involved in a tragic gang shooting in Little Village that resulted in the death of an 8-year-old girl has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Xavier Guzman, 30, pleaded guilty to murder and received the sentence from Judge James Novy, who also recently sentenced the gunman, Emilio Corripio, to 27 years.
Surveillance footage captured the heartbreaking moment when young Melissa Ortega was fatally shot while holding her mother’s hand as they crossed Pulaski at 26th Street. The shooting took place on January 22, 2022, and left the community in shock.
Guzman, who was working as a suburban cab driver at the time, picked up Corripio in his cab shortly before the shooting occurred. The pair witnessed a confrontation between two men believed to be rival gang members, prompting Corripio to circle the block. Subsequent videos showed the cab entering an alley, with Corripio emerging to open fire on the rival gang members.
Tragically, one of the bullets intended for Corripio’s targets struck Melissa in the head, causing her to collapse in front of a bank entrance. The young girl’s life was cut short in a senseless act of violence that shocked the entire community.
Investigators were able to track the movements of the cab and identified Guzman and Corripio stopping for sandwiches at a Subway restaurant shortly after the shooting. Prosecutors utilized footage from the restaurant to link Corripio to the crime, as he was seen wearing the same clothing as the shooter.
Corripio, who was only 20 years old at the time of the shooting, had a history of criminal behavior and was on juvenile probation for previous offenses. He identified himself as a member of the Latin Kings during prior arrests, shedding light on his involvement in gang-related activities.
The sentencing of Guzman and Corripio serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of gang violence on innocent lives. The loss of young Melissa Ortega has left a void in the community, highlighting the urgent need for measures to address and prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
