Julio Garcia was 15 when he was fatally shot on June 12, 2017, in Chicago. He was killed on the street amid a year when the city, while seeing a modest drop in total homicides from 2016, still endured high levels of gun violence that disproportionately affected teenagers and young adults.

The killing is presented as part of broader patterns in certain neighborhoods, where territorial disputes, gang activity, and ready access to firearms made public spaces dangerous. Poverty and underfunded social services are cited as factors that fed the cycle of violence and complicated efforts to protect at-risk youth.

Anyone who knew Julio, was in that neighborhood that day, or has information about the shooting is asked to come forward.