Federal agents have turned up the heat on a long-running suburban murder case, adding two men to the FBI Chicago's Most Wanted list in connection with the killing of a 14-year-old boy near his northwest suburban home.
Authorities identified the fugitives as 29-year-old Aron Barcenas and 24-year-old Julio Bernal, and said both should be considered armed and dangerous. The upgrade in status is tied to a spring 2022 shooting in the Blackhawk Estates mobile-home community that left 14-year-old Erick Alfaro dead just steps from where he lived.
In a Chicago-area press release, federal agents announced they were highlighting seven violent fugitives following an August enforcement push called "Operation Summer Heat." The FBI statement lists Barcenas and Julio Caesar Bernal as wanted for first‑degree murder and other violent felonies and urges anyone with tips to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit information online, according to FBI Chicago. The list's launch was previously reported in coverage of the Chicago Most Wanted rollout.
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart told local reporters that investigators have "some information that they may have left the country" and said federal partners will be crucial in tracking them down. "All these homicides are horrible, but this one's particularly gut‑wrenching," Dart said. Officials say the pair have been on the run for nearly three years, as reported by FOX 32 Chicago.
The shooting that killed Alfaro
In May 2022, Alfaro was walking with another child near his home in the Blackhawk Estates community, in the 400 block of West Touhy Avenue, when a dark SUV pulled up, and someone opened fire, local coverage reported. The teen was struck and later pronounced dead. Officials said he lived on the same block and was just weeks away from graduating from Grove Junior High School, according to ABC7 Chicago.
What authorities are looking for
In July 2022, a Cook County judge issued arrest warrants charging both men with first‑degree murder and attempted murder in the Alfaro case, investigators say. Officials describe Barcenas as about 5-foot-4 and 140 pounds and Bernal as about 5-foot-9 and 130 pounds. Both are described as Hispanic with black hair and brown eyes. Police warn that the suspects are armed and dangerous and ask anyone with information not to approach them, per FOX 32 Chicago.
How to help
Anyone with tips on the whereabouts of Barcenas or Bernal should contact FBI Chicago at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit information at tips.fbi.gov. The Cook County Sheriff's Office also maintains a tip line at 708-865-4896 for leads related to the Alfaro investigation, according to local reporting. Authorities urge the public to call law enforcement rather than attempting to confront or detain suspected fugitives.
