16-year-old Chicago boy shot to death while walking to school
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) - A 16-year-old boy walking to school with friends became one of the latest Chicagoans to die in a senseless shooting Wednesday morning.
Victor Felix, known to friends as “Baby Vic," was on his way to John Hancock College Prep High School when he was gunned down at 56th and Keeler around 8:45 A.M.
“I got up to make breakfast and all of a sudden I hear pop, pop, pop, pop, pop,” said Arlene Marszalik, who lives nearby.
Witnesses told police they saw a brown Buick pull up and someone inside started shooting.
“I look out and I see two kids running across the street and they kind of looked frantic like, and I'm thinking that sounds like gunshots and I look and I see a guy laying on the ground,” Marszalik said.
Neighbors said the three boys were regularly seen walking to school together. They tell FOX 32 that while there is some gang activity in the area, gunfire is not something they are used to hearing.
Another neighbor also heard the gunshots and then saw the ambulance leaving with the victim inside.
“I mean I'm still shaking, shaken over this, I was afraid to even go to my groceries today cause I don't want any kind of craziness to happen,” said Rocio, who asked that her last name not be used.
Police say Felix had no known gang ties.
Outside his home, relatives gathered Wednesday but asked for privacy. They said Felix was a good kid who was making plans to play basketball at college.
A classmate called the shooting shocking.
“It's really heartbreaking because he had a lot of friends you know, friends that really loved him and had a special spot for him,” said Bertin Flores.
Neighbors want to see more cops on patrol in the area and wonder when the violence is going to end.
“This is out of control, I mean seriously, it's just a shame,” Rocio said.
So far this year, 233 people have been shot and killed in Chicago. Police say most of the victims and perpetrators are known gang members responsible for the vast majority of the city’s gun violence.