Fourteen-year-old Damien Santoyo was killed in a drive-by shooting in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood on August 6, 2017. He had just finished eighth grade and was about to start high school. Damien was sitting on a porch in the 1700 block of South Newberry Avenue with two other juveniles when a car drove by at about 2:35 a.m., someone inside shouted gang slogans and opened fire. Damien, who had no gang affiliations, was struck in the head and pronounced dead at the scene.

Damien’s mother and grandmother were left devastated; his mother was not present and later expressed regret for not being there to protect him. No arrests have been made and the investigation remains open as authorities seek information that could identify the suspects. The community and family continue to look for answers.

If anyone has information about that night or about activity near South Newberry Avenue around 2:35 a.m. on August 6, 2017, please come forward.