Jorge Medina, 20, was convicted of First-Degree Murder and Attempt Murder, on August 31, 2023.  

“Violent offenders have no place in our community. Mr. Medina and his accomplice will be incarcerated for decades in response to this premediated and planned assassination. Our experienced trial team did an outstanding job of securing justice and safety for those impacted by this horrific crime. Our hearts break for the family of the victim, and we will support them for as long as they need,” said State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart after the sentencing.  

On May 29, 2022, Waukegan Police Officers responded to a report of persons shot near a local restaurant parking lot. When officers arrived, they found two men with gunshot wounds. One survived and the other, later identified as Stefan Filipovic, succumbed his injuries later that day in the hospital. 

Through an extensive investigation, it was learned that Fernando Andino, 19, was at the restaurant earlier that day with four other friends when he saw Stefan. Andino mistook Stefan’s identity for someone who Andino and his friends had previously argued with. At Medina’s trial, Andino testified that he felt threatened when he saw Stefan (who he thought was someone else) and made the decision to summon Medina, who he knew owned a firearm and lived nearby.  

 During the sentencing hearing, Judge Daniel Shanes heard from the Stefan’s mother. She described Medina’s actions as “vicious” and “thoughtless.” The victim’s mother emphasized that her son had a bright future which had been destroyed simply because Medina and Andino thought he was someone else.  

Assistant State’s Attorney Lauren Kalcheim Rothenberg stated that Medina perpetrated a cold-blooded and calculated attack when he decided to shoot two people who had their backs towards him, at a restaurant, in broad daylight. Ms. Kalcheim Rothenberg also pointed out that Medina’s actions threatened others in the area. She argued that a large sentence would be necessary to deter others from committing such shocking acts.  

Medina was sentenced to 70 years for the First-Degree Murder conviction, to be served at 100%, and 29 years for the Attempt Murder conviction, to be served at 85%.