2 denied bond in DePaul student's death

November 5, 2009 (CHICAGO) Nineteen-year-old Narcisco Gatica and 21-year-old Berly Valladares are charged with the murder of 21-year-old DePaul senior Frankie Valencia. He was shot and killed at a Halloween party early Sunday morning in the 1700-block of North Rockwell.

Bail was denied for both suspects. Prosecutors told a Judge Narcisco Gatica opened fire because he was angry about getting kicked out of a party he was never invited to in the first place. The gun allegedly belonged to his co-defendant Berly Valladeres. Police say both suspects are admitted gang members.

VIDEO: Police press conference to announce charges

Valencia's family walked out of a Cook County courtroom with no comment. Minutes earlier they were visually pleased with the judge's discoing to deny bail to the two men charged with Valencia's murder. Prosecutors allege Gatica was the shooter and Valladeres provided the gun.

"They both gave videotaped admissions to, not only both of them admitting to being present when the shooting took place," said Jodi Peterson, assistant state's attorney.

Prosecutors say Gatica and Valladeres did not know Valencia nor anyone else at the Halloween party where the DePaul student was killed. It is alleged Gatica and two friends tried getting into the party on the 1700-block of North Rockwell, but could not because they had to be buzzed in. Instead, they snuck in with others.

"Once in, after a short period of time, they were asked to leave once they were recognized as individuals who were not invited," said Peterson.

Prosecutors say Gatica was angry. He left and went to Valladares's home to get a gun that Valladares allegedly loaded and provided.

"Both co-defendants at that time walked together to 1752 N. Rockwell, where the shooter actually fired the weapon multiple times at these partygoers who were standing inside the fence," said Peterson.

Valencia was struck twice in the chest. His friend Daisy Camacho was hit in the neck.

A neighbor's surveillance camera captured the gunman walking down the street with a group before breaking away to fire the gun.

Despite confessions, Valladares's attorney says his client had nothing to do with the shooting.

Prosecutors say Berly Valladeres admitted to police that he is a gang leader.

Valencia was a senior political science major at DePaul. He has been called a star college student inside and outside of the classroom. A statement released by his family Thursday says Valencia also volunteered for Chicago Public Schools and the Obama campaign. Valencia also travelled to Colombia on a humanitarian mission. The funeral is set for Monday at DePaul.

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