Family: Woman, 21, fatally shot by security guard at suburban nightclub
Woman shot, killed at Chicago-area nightclub, family confirms
A 21-year-old woman was found dead at a west suburban nightclub on Friday night.
STONE PARK, Ill. - A 21-year-old woman was found dead at a west suburban nightclub early Saturday morning, her family confirmed.
The shooting happened around 2 a.m. at Mansion Live in Stone Park.
Tragedy Unfolds at Suburban Nightclub
What we know:
While the nightclub acknowledged a "tragedy" in a statement, local police have not released any official information.
FOX 32 spoke with family members Sunday, who identified the victim as Zulma Daniela Calderon Pacheco.
According to the family, Stone Park police told them an argument broke out, and a security guard intervened, eventually firing his gun.
Calderon Pacheco was reportedly not involved in the altercation but was shot in the face and died from the injury, her family said.
Stone Park police have not confirmed this account of events to FOX 32. We have reached out for more information but have not yet heard back.
What they're saying:
Jesse Morales was about 20 feet away from the shooter and previously worked security at the nightclub.
"An argument between two gentlemen. He (the security guard) got in the middle to break it up and then about five or six other guys ended up jumping to him," Morales said. "We weren't allowed to have any type of concealment, any type of firearm, even if you did have a FOID card or not. We weren't even allowed to bring a pepper spray."
Joel Chimborozo is Calderon Pacheco's boyfriend. The two attended the nightclub together. Chimborozo said he and his sweetheart were dancing right before she was shot. He said he will miss their time together.
"I just feel like my life is going to be a little bit more quieter. Like, she would be always behind me, following me or texting me," said Chimborozo.
Inside the family's Little Village apartment, the walls were packed with grieving family members surrounding an altar of roses, candles and photos of Calderon Pacheco.
The victim's family said police told them a suspect is in custody.
Nightclub Statement:
In a statement, Mansion Live said:
"We are heartbroken by the incident that took place at Mansion Live [Friday] night. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with everyone touched by this tragedy, and we are doing all we can to support local authorities as they navigate this difficult time.
"In honor of our community and to allow space for healing, we will be closed tonight, Saturday, March 8. If you purchased tickets for tonight’s event, please know that refunds will be processed automatically.
"Thank you for your patience and understanding as we come together to support one another."
Five years ago, a 22-year-old was killed inside Mansion. Stone Park residents said the nightclub has been a sore spot in the neighborhood for years.
What's next:
An event scheduled at Mansion Live for Saturday night was postponed.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office is handling a death case from the nightclub's location but has not yet released the identity of the victim.
We'll bring more updates to this story as they become available.