A Chicago man accused of shooting at his teenage daughter and her girlfriend during an altercation over their relationship now faces attempted murder and hate crime charges, Cook County prosecutors announced this week.
Authorities allege Jaime Santiago, 59, carried out the August 24 attack in the city’s Humboldt Park. Santiago allegedly confronted the pair about the daughter’s sexuality. Charging documents detail that the victims, ages 18 and 19, were driving away from the area when they noticed two of their car’s tires had been slashed. They stopped on the 2600 block of West Crystal Street to call friends for assistance.
Prosecutors say Santiago approached them, berated his daughter over her relationship, then pulled a revolver. He allegedly pointed the weapon at his girlfriend before firing at his daughter when she attempted to intervene.
Chicago Man Shoots Daughter Over Sexuality
The teenager was struck once in the stomach and transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in stable condition. As the girlfriend fled, Santiago allegedly fired multiple additional shots in her direction but missed.
Santiago fled the scene but was stopped hours later in downstate Illinois for speeding and attempting to evade police. Court filings indicate he was briefly held on weapons and traffic violations before being released. He’s allowed to continue traveling to Florida. A Cook County warrant was issued days later. He was taken into custody last weekend in Kissimmee before being extradited to Illinois.
During a bond hearing, a Cook County judge ordered Santiago detained without bail. It was ruled he posed a risk not only to his family but to “any member of the LGBTQ community.” Prosecutors stressed that the confrontation was motivated by bias, citing Santiago’s comments at the scene and the nature of the alleged assault.
The charges against Santiago include attempted first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon, and hate crime enhancements. Conviction could result in a decades-long prison sentence.
The case comes amid heightened scrutiny of bias-motivated violence nationwide. Santiago’s next appearance in Cook County court is scheduled for Friday.
Meanwhile, his daughter continues to recover from her injuries. The girlfriend is cooperating with investigators as the prosecution moves forward.
Leave a Reply