¿May 20, 2011 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Police say a junior at Evanston Township High School was shot to death on the city's Far North Side.
Omar Estrada, 18, was shot at about 7:45 p.m. Thursday in Touhy Park in Rogers Park. The family of the teenager says he was a fine young man who kept to himself and was looking forward to getting a summer job.
Estrada's maternal grandmother Maria Laguna told ABC7 in Spanish that she does not know what happened except that they shot and killed her grandson, that he was a happy young man and never a part of any gang activity. She added that the family spent the night crying and grieving the loss, and that her daughter is heartbroken.
"He was a happy guy. He liked to play soccer. If he could, he would play every day. His favorite color is red, and this is his sweater," said Estrada's sister Kimberly Gervacio.
Gervacio says the family just moved to the 1500-block of West Howard Street in Evanston, and that her brother apparently went out Thursday evening to meet with some female friends. Police confirmed that the young man was sitting on a park bench talking with female companions when shots rang out and they saw him lying on the ground hit in the head. Estrada was pronounced dead Friday morning at Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston according to the Cook County Medical Examiner. Gervacio says her family is having as hard time.
Maria Vasques lives nearby and takes her children to Touhy Park for playtime about three to four times a week. She just learned of the fatal shooting.
"I am surprised to hear this," Vasques said. "This is disturbing."
"I feel bad. They need the police here," said another neighborhood resident, Monica Resendez.
Police say they have not had any recent problems at Touhy Park, although residents say they are concerned about gang activity and graffiti in the park.
"We have to stop the gangs from coming to our parks and recruiting," said Tony Iniquez with the Touhy Park Advisory.
Police have questioned the girls and they are not suspects. As of late Friday, they have no one in custody. Belmont area detectives are investigating the shooting.
Evanston school superintendent Eric Witherspoon said the victim had attended Evanston Township High School earlier this year and that students at the school are now receiving crisis counseling.
(Copyright ©2011 WLS-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
<|3 your going to make a year since u die:/ I really miss u daffy. Raza<3
jordan23barbieebitch 1 week ago
R.I.P Omar i miss u so much buddy :(
petefan900 2 weeks ago
Lol, she says Rogers park when re sigh clearly says "touhy"
raymondoe1997 3 weeks ago
that nigka was a reclasifiedk freshman fck Omar Omar Rotz that nigka wantedk to die try to kill him self in middle skoo hella times RazaKilla bitch that nigka Rotz
fckwitit1 1 month ago
Even though you cant read this, Im wearing your tshirt and everyday i think of you. Despite what happened between us i will always love you and miss you. </3 Rip
mrsonofabiatch 5 months ago
que descanses en pass bro
Rest In Paradice bro
gone but neva forgotten leva let chu down
Omar :'(
Soo ii wass qoinqq trouqhh myy inbox and deletinqq somee stuff ndd dhe momentt i press Next buttomm dhee whole paqee of inbox were of yhurs :'( ii started readinqq themm andd so many memories kame to my mind :'( ii miss youh Omarsito
SLEEPYRZ16 6 months ago
I Misss youu biqq brother ;(
Rest in paradiseee, All we have is memoris you name lives on foreverr biq manito,No more crys just smiles just for you,I know your lookinq down on me biq manito , love you lots won't forqet the niqht i was riqht by you at the hospital ;'/
96Magdaa 6 months ago
Damnn EveryBodyy Misses Yhu Bri R.i.P U In A Betta Place We All qone Meet U Up There Soon
Hookieboo 8 months ago
WOW HE WAS MY BEST FRIEND FROM KINDERGARTEN TO SIXTH GRADE WHEN I MOVED AWAY...I ALWAYS THOUGHT WE WOULD CATCH UP BUT NOW WE CANT.....IMA MISS U BRO!!!!! REST IN PEACE......HAHA I ALWAYS TOLD U WE'LD CHILL AGAIN AFTER I MOVED....THAT PROMISE IS STILL IN TACT....IL C U SOMEDAY BRO
9rObErToG4 8 months ago
SadEst day of my life. i am miss the kid alot i wish i was there i would have tooken the bullet 4 him. rip omar
TOMASAKAPITBULL 9 months ago