Overview

• Montano is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and opening fire near a school building for the March 2023 shooting of Officer Andrés Vásquez Lasso.
• Prosecutors have introduced bodycam footage and witness testimony to argue Montano deliberately shot Vásquez Lasso during a foot pursuit after a domestic disturbance call.
• On the stand, Montano said he fled and fired his unlicensed pistol near a Gage Park playground because he feared police, saying he did not know the gunman was an officer.
• Judge John Lyke granted the defense’s request to instruct jurors they may convict on second-degree murder as an alternative to first-degree charges.
• After closing arguments conclude Monday, the jury will begin weighing evidence to determine Montano’s guilt on murder and related weapon charges.