The Department of Homeland Security said it took a woman into immigration custody over a visa overstay, alleging she assisted in a deadly 2024 shooting — a case the Cook County State’s Attorney chose not to prosecute
The Department of Homeland Security said Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations has arrested a Venezuelan national the agency alleges assisted in a December 2024 shooting at a Chicago house party that killed three people.
According to DHS, the woman, identified as Giovanna Mercedes Moreno Occhipinti, 32, is in custody on an immigration violation. The agency alleges she drove the two shooters and helped them evade law enforcement, and said Chicago police arrested her in December 2024 on weapons charges. DHS said local officials released her without notifying ICE.
The release also states that the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office determined it would not pursue criminal prosecution in the matter. As a result, the allegations DHS describes regarding the shooting have not been charged in court, and Moreno Occhipinti is presumed innocent of them. DHS said HSI then took what it called independent immigration enforcement action, arresting her on May 13, 2026.
According to DHS, Moreno Occhipinti entered the United States in October 2021 under the Visa Waiver Program and remained past her required departure date in January 2022. The agency said she is being held pending removal.
In a statement, Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said the woman was involved in the shooting and criticized Illinois officials for releasing her without notifying ICE. HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino also described her alleged role. Their characterizations refer to conduct that was not criminally charged.
