KISSIMMEE, Fl. — A Chicago man was arrested in Florida after allegedly shooting a family member over her sexual orientation last month. He is facing a hate crime charge.
Jamie Santiago, 59, was charged with two counts of a hate crime and two counts of attempted murder after he was arrested in Kissimmee, Florida Friday on a warrant issued on Aug. 29.
Prosecutors allege that Santiago had a history of making homophobic comments toward a family member because she is bisexual.
The family member went outside, along with her girlfriend, in Humboldt Park to discover two of her tires were flattened, according to court documents.
Shortly later, Santiago drove by in the 2600 block of West Crystal Street and said something derogatory to the couple, documents state.
He then approached them on foot after parking his car and reportedly “stared down” the girlfriend. A struggle ensued between Santiago and the family member. Santiago then allegedly pulled out a revolver and shot the family member in the stomach.
Santiago allegedly followed her girlfriend into a nearby alley and fired an additional shot.
The family member was transported in good condition.
Santiago allegedly attempted to then flee to Florida after the shooting. A few hours following the incident, he was arrested in Lee County, Illinois after being found with a revolver and three spent shell casings.
Santiago was not detained and made his way to Florida where as previously mentioned he was taken into custody and extradited back to Chicago, according to prosecutors.
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His criminal background includes three domestic violence convictions, according to a court document.
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