[quote]AURORA — The city’s first murder of 2008 occurred about 7 p.m. Wednesday in the 600 block of North Root Street, and police are interrogating several individuals believed to have been involved.


» Click to enlarge image An Aurora police officer takes notes outside a home on the 600 block of Root Street in Aurora where a murder took place Wednesday night.
(Craig Watson/Special to The Beacon News)
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While eight children, all of them belonging to neighboring families, played upstairs, police downstairs investigated the shooting death of a 28-year-old man, the victim of an apparent gunfight in the house.

Police discovered the body in a rear area of the home at the corner of Root and Rural streets, according to Lt. Nick Coronado.

Police initially identified the victim as Juan Manuel Rivera of Chicago. However, early Thursday morning, police said the man's wife lied about her husband's identity.

Police later identified the man as Hector Valtierrez, 28.

The wife told police her husband had provided false information to the secretary of state's office in order to receive a drivers license and change his identity, police said. She advised that he did this because he was wanted for deportation.

At the time of the shooting, police were called for reports of an assailant in the house and broke a front window to gain entry. However, Coronado said police were searching for a male Hispanic in a gray vehicle.

Police confirmed reports that a man with a gunshot wound who arrived at Provena Mercy Medical Center shortly after the shooting was involved in the incident on Root Street.

Police said they believe the shooting was drug-related.

Thomas said several people who were apparently involved in the shooting were being interrogated by detectives at the police station, while other investigators continued working to secure a search warrant and begin collecting evidence at the home.

Witnesses to the shooting or those who believe they have information concerning the case were asked to call Aurora police at 630-801-6655.

At the scene

As red and blue lights illuminated their street, neighbors stood on their porches and watched the scene. Teresa Martinez, who lives across Root Street, said she heard shots while talking to her brother on the phone and came out to investigate. She said she saw police drive up and tape off the street.

Jose Vasquez, who lives on Pierce Avenue, said he saw a woman come out of the Root Street home, calling for help.

“She was white as a ghost,â€