Alejandro Avitia was 15 when he was fatally shot on October 28, 2008, in Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood. He was outside when gunmen opened fire; Avitia was struck in the crossfire, taken to a hospital, and pronounced dead. The killing was one of several youth homicides that year in Chicago and intensified concern about gun violence in neighborhoods like Brighton Park.

Investigators faced challenges common to many shootings in the city, including limited cooperation from witnesses. Avitia’s death left a devastated family and became part of the broader story of violence affecting young people in the community.

If anyone knew Alejandro, was in Brighton Park that evening, or has information about the shooting, please come forward.