BENSENVILLE – A Bensenville man was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in the 2023 shooting death of a man at his birthday party, according to prosecutors.
Kevin Krenc, 32, entered the plea on Thursday in DuPage County court, according to the state attorney’s office.
The charge stems from an incident on October 14, 2023, when DuPage County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of an intoxicated man.
During the investigation, deputies discovered a fatal shooting on Church Road in unincorporated Bensenville.
An investigation revealed that Krenc had been celebrating his birthday with several people at his home, including the victim, Victor Garcia.
Tensions rose after Garcia was accused of stealing a pair of shoes and expressed feelings of disrespect. According to authorities, Krenc retrieved a rifle and shot Garcia five times inside his garage at home.
According to prosecutors, Krenc then hid the weapon in an enclosed trailer and fled the scene. He was arrested three days later. The rifle was later discovered in a vent in the basement of his home.
According to DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin, Kevin Krenc will be sentenced to 30 years in prison for the unprovoked and senseless murder of Victor Garcia, a father of three with a fourth child on the way.
“I am sure the fact that Mr. Krenc accepted responsibility for Victor’s murder makes no difference to Victor’s family and friends, who must now move on in their lives without the love and companionship he once provided.
I applaud DuPage County Sheriff Mendrick and his team for their outstanding work in quickly identifying Mr. Krenc as the man who murdered Victor.”
What is next: Krenc has been in the DuPage County Jail since October 20, 2023, when the court denied his pretrial release.
He must serve the entire 30-year sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
