Juan Chavez was 16 when he was shot and killed on June 15, 2021, in the Gage Park neighborhood of Chicago. The shooting happened about 10:10 p.m. while Juan and a 20-year-old man were walking in the 5200 block of South Artesian Avenue. An unknown assailant approached and opened fire; Juan was struck multiple times and later pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital. The 20-year-old companion suffered three gunshot wounds to the back and was reported in critical condition at the same hospital.

Witnesses described the shooter as wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans, but no arrests have been made. Police say the assailant escaped quickly and that a lack of witnesses has hampered the investigation. Juan’s family and friends remembered him as a bright, kind young man with a promising future. The case remains open; anyone with information is asked to contact authorities.