Berwyn police charge 3 for barber shop murder on New Year's Eve

BERWYN – Three men were charged Sunday with committing a New Year's Eve robbery resulting in a Berwyn man's death.

Eddie Garcia, Salvador Alvarado and Jonathan Ivory each face first-degree murder and attempted robbery charges in the shooting death of 20-year-old Jose Mendoza, according to Berwyn police.

On Dec. 31, Berwyn police responded to a call of a man lying down and bleeding inside Millennium Cuts Barber Shop, 2144 S. Oak Park Ave., at about 9:40 p.m.

Mendoza, of the 2600 block of East Avenue in Berwyn, was discovered lying on the floor inside of the business with an apparent gunshot wound. Entry to the barber shop was gained by force, police said.

According to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, Ivory, 24, of Westchester, picked up Alvarado, 25, of Cicero, and Garcia, 21, of Alsip. The three allegedly smoked marijuana and talked about doing a robbery. After driving to the barbershop, Garcia waited in a back alley for Mendoza, and allegedly attempted to rob him when he walked up at about 9:40 p.m.

A struggle ensued and Garcia allegedly shot Mendoza once and then fled, leaving behind several pieces of evidence, including his own cell phone, which led police to him.

Mendoza was transported to Loyola Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 10:07 p.m.

Garcia was ordered held in lieu of $3 million bail while Alvarado and Ivory were both held in lieu of $1 million bail Jan. 5.

Berwyn records two homicides in 2013

The slaying was only the second to occur in Berwyn in 2013.

The first occurred in July with the fatal shooting of Abraham Atempa-Silva, 33, at his home in the 1300 block of South Ridgeland Avenue.

Martin Garcia, 20, of the 5800 block of West Roosevelt Road, Chicago, was charged with first degree murder for Atempta-Silva's death. Police are still seeking a second suspect, Emmanuel Garcia, brother of Martin Garcia.

Police said the shooting occurred over a dispute about the delivery of drugs.