Landlord of Belmont Cragin building charged with murdering tenant

Hugo Garcia, the landlord and third-floor resident of a building, in the 2300 block of Meade Avenue, shot 33-year-old Fernando Deleon 10 times Saturday night. | Google Maps

The landlord of a Belmont Cragin apartment building shot and killed a tenant who had been sending him death threats, Cook County prosecutors said Monday.

Hugo Garcia, the landlord and third-floor resident of a building, in the 2300 block of Meade Avenue, allegedly shot 33-year-old Fernando Deleon 10 times Saturday night.

Multiple residents in the building witnessed the argument between the two men and the subsequent shooting, Assistant State’s Attorney James Murphy said.

Deleon rented the first-floor apartment from Garcia, who said he had been receiving the death threats via phone calls and text messages, Murphy said.

Garcia, 30, went to the police earlier Saturday to report the threats, but then returned to his building and began yelling for Deleon to come out of his room, Murphy said.

After an argument in the building’s stairwell, Garcia allegedly shot Deleon in his leg and side.

Deleon fell backwards into his apartment, but Garcia followed him and unloaded the rest of his handgun’s clip into Deleon, Murphy said. Garcia then re-loaded the gun and fired the remaining bullets at Deleon, Murphy added.

Hugo Garcia

Deleon was pronounced dead at the scene by police, Murphy said.

Garcia is a lifelong Cook County resident and Marine Corps veteran who has been working as a pipe fitter, defense attorney Julian Crozier told Judge David Navarro.

He has no prior criminal history.

Navarro ordered Garcia held on $1 million bail for first-degree murder. He is expected back in court June 9.