Andres Vasquez-Lasso

Andres Vasquez-Lasso was a 32-year-old Hispanic man and a five-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department. Originally from Cali, Colombia, he was married and served in the 8th Police District, the same community where he lived. Colleagues and city officials described him as an officer with a bright future ahead of him.

On the afternoon of March 1, 2023, Officer Vasquez-Lasso and his partner responded to a domestic disturbance call in Chicago's Gage Park neighborhood. Around 4:45 p.m., police were dispatched to the 5200 block of South Spaulding Avenue for reports of a man chasing a woman with a gun. When officers arrived, the suspect fled on foot.

Vasquez-Lasso pursued the man, identified as 18-year-old Steven Montano, across the street and onto the grounds of Sawyer Elementary School, where children were playing on a playground. As Vasquez-Lasso gave verbal commands to stop, Montano looked back, turned toward the officer, and opened fire at close range.

Vasquez-Lasso was struck multiple times. Despite his mortal injuries, he was able to return fire, hitting Montano in the head. Witnesses saw children on the playground run and hide for safety during the gunfire. Officer Vasquez-Lasso was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office later ruled his death a homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds.

Steven Montano was taken into custody and transported to a hospital in critical condition. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated discharge of a firearm near a school, and misdemeanor counts of assault and interfering with reporting domestic violence. A judge ordered him held without bond, and he pleaded not guilty in April 2023.

Following a trial, Steven Montano was convicted of first-degree murder for the death of Officer Vasquez-Lasso. In December 2025, he was sentenced to natural life in prison.