Attempted-murder charges from Elgin double-stabbing

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Updated: March 24, 2012 9:01AM

ELGIN — Two Elgin youths have been charged with attempted murder, accused of taking part in a stabbing in a west-side parking lot Saturday night, police announced Wednesday. Police said the stabbing grew out of a fight involving about 17 people motivated by gang tensions.

Andres Quinones, 17, of the 0-100 block of South Aldine Avenue, and Alexzayan D. Leon, 18, of the 0-100 block of Wilcox Avenue, face Class X charges of attempted murder, armed violence and armed violence with a Category II weapon, as well as felony charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with great bodily harm, and mob action. Quinones faces additional Class X and felony charges based on the incident.

Quinones is accused of stabbing Angel Marquez, 19, and Rogelio Luna, 21, with a knife while in the parking lot at Wing Park Plaza Shopping Center, 571 N. McLean Blvd. Leon is accused of stabbing Luna with a pen during the same fight.

According to police, at about 11 p.m. Saturday, two groups encountered each other in the strip mall’s parking lot and someone shouted a gang slogan. Luna turned around and then allegedly was stabbed by Quinones and a struggle ensued. Leon then joined in the fight and also stabbed Luna, police said.

The fight escalated and approximately 17 people were ultimately involved, according to Elgin Police Lt. Glenn Theriault.

Luna and Marquez were transported to local hospitals with injuries not deemed to be life-threatening, police said.

In a prepared statement, Theriault said suspects fled the scene immediately but a vehicle was stopped a short time later, which resulted in Leon’s arrest. He said further investigation by the gang unit resulted in Quinones being arrested Tuesday at Elgin High School.

“It should be noted that while this appears to be gang-motivated, the victims do not have gang ties,” Theriault said.

Police also said that Edgar Luna, no age given, was transported to a hospital; no other information about him was provided.

Bail for Quinones was set Wednesday at $2 million, and bail for Leon was set at $1 million. Both were given March 7 court dates.