Second man sentenced to prison for murder of Tammy Gonzalez in 2020

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Brandon Taylor, 32, has been sentenced to spend 57 years in prison for his the murder of Tammy Gonzalez, 46, part of a home invasion and attempted robbery that occurred in 2020.

According to Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley, on Thursday, October 8th, 2020, Taylor, Dory Love, Nakethian Johnson, and Thomas Hawkins broke into a home in the 1300 block of 15th Avenue.

Once inside, they made one of the occupants of the home call another individual to bring drugs to the residence. That individual asked Gonzalez, his mother, to give him a ride.

When they arrived at the 15th Avenue address, the state’s attorney says Johnson fired a shot at the vehicle, striking Gonzalez.

Police were called to a local hospital around 6 a.m. where Gonzalez was being treated for gunshot wounds. She later died.

Taylor was found guilty on the charge of first-degree murder and sentenced to 57 years in prison.

Johnson was found guilty of first-degree murder in March 2024 and sentenced to 65 years in prison.

Love was found not guilty of Gonzalez’ murder on January 19th, 2023. He is still in jail on unrelated charges, of escaping from a penal institution, obstructing identification, resisting police, and producing cannabis plants.

Hawkins is not charged in the case and is currently serving an 11-year sentence in federal prison for robbing a Red Roof Inn and Mobil gas station in 2020.