An Illinois man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the 2022 killing of a young father who was playing Pokémon Go with his 6-year-old daughter at a park in Evanston.
According to ABC affiliate WLS, 23-year-old Khiryan Monroe admitted in court on Tuesday to fatally shooting 29-year-old Servando Hamros, three years after his initial arrest.
Prosecutors said Hamros encountered Monroe and his girlfriend engaged in a sexual act at the park and reportedly recorded the couple on his cellphone. Startled, the pair fled, but Monroe later returned to his home, retrieved a gun, and fired multiple rounds at Hamros while his daughter stood nearby.
Court records obtained by CBS affiliate WBBM reveal Monroe turned himself in several weeks after the July 14, 2022, shooting. He initially told investigators that Hamros had allegedly robbed him and his girlfriend and claimed he acted in self-defense. Police noted that Hamros was armed at the time, though family members strongly disputed Monroe’s account. Authorities confirmed that one of the couple’s phones was discovered in Hamros’ possession, while both devices were later found near the crime scene.
Monroe’s attorney, Herb Goldberg, argued that Hamros “was an armed robber, and these kids went back to get their telephones. They were buck naked at the time that they left.”
However, prosecutors painted a far more damning picture. They stated Monroe retrieved a gun from his home, returned to the park, and opened fire from his car, discharging approximately 17 shots. Hamros was fatally struck in front of his daughter.
NBC affiliate WMAQ reported that the terrified girl managed to use FaceTime to contact family members during the chaos. She could be heard crying: “Daddy’s shot, Daddy’s shot. Please come help me, please come help me!”
Investigators later reviewed footage from Monroe’s home security system, which showed him holding a weapon after the incident. Prosecutors also noted another individual was seen leaving the home wearing latex gloves and carrying a bag.
Monroe pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He will receive credit for time served since his arrest.