Berwyn man charged in the 2022 homicide of 3-year-old Mateo Zastro

CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Department announced charges in the 2022 homicide of 3-year-old Mateo Zastro Thursday evening.

CPD Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti held a press conference shortly after 5 p.m. where she announced 32-year-old Govanni Hernandez was charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in the shooting death of Mateo.

Hernandez was charged with one count of felony first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, and murder with strong probability of death or injury.

Hernandez was taken into police custody on Tuesday, July 16, in the 6300 block of 26th Street in Berwyn after he was identified as the offender who opened fire on Veronica Zastro and her children nearly two years ago.

“Since the day of the shooting, the Area One detectives have worked to bring justice in this case,” Ursitti said. “Justice for a grieving mother who should be watching her son grow up. Justice for three young children growing up without their brother. Justice for Mateo, an innocent three-year-old, who didn’t deserve this.”

On Sept. 30, 2022, Mateo was in the back seat of his mom’s SUV, along with his three siblings, in the 4400 block of West Marquette Road in the city’s West Lawn neighborhood when police said they were caught in a road rage incident.

The driver, now identified as Hernandez, of another car — A red sedan — Opened fire, with a bullet hitting Mateo in the head.

Mateo was rushed to a local hospital after the incident, where he was later pronounced dead.

According to Ursitti, Hernandez’s vehicle was recovered by police on Oct. 27, 2022. Shortly thereafter, DNA evidence collected was submitted into CPD’s CODIS system, which produced a hit, connecting Hernandez to the investigation in August 2023.

Ursitti also said police believe Veronica Zastro was the intended target of the road rage shooting.

There is no relationship between Hernandez and the Zastro family.

Here is the full CPD press conference announcing the charges against Hernandez:

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