Boy who had just finished 8th grade murdered in Chicago

CHICAGO (Fox 32 News) - A 14-year-old boy was shot and killed in Pilsen early Sunday morning, and the boy's mother is broken because of it, according to a person who spoke to her.

Damien Santoyo had no record or gang affiliations.

Sunday afternoon, bullet holes from what looked to be a large caliber weapon dotted the front of a black SUV in the 1700 block of South Newberry Ave., a parking spot that put it squarely between the person that fired the shots and Santoyo.

Police said Santoyo was killed at 2:35 a.m. Sunday when he was shot in the head. The shooting happened as police said Santoyo was on a porch with two others when someone in a car yelled gang slogans before someone inside opened fire.

The spot where Santoyo died was commemorated with a candle Sunday.

Neighbors watched as crisis responder and activist Andrew Holmes passed out fliers, imploring people in the quiet neighborhood to contact police with information.

Kristi Lishman said she “definitely never thought something like that would happen” next to the place she’s been living since January.

A number of residents on the block have surveillance cameras fixed to their homes.

The oldest of four children, Holmes said Santoyo played football and had just graduated the 8th grade.

“The mother just wants some answers,” Holmes said. “She's crying. She's missing her baby. She wants her baby. She was expecting to see him go to high school.”

A relative at the home where Santoyo lived with his grandmother on the southwest side said the family is taking his loss badly, but declined further comment.

Police have no suspects in custody.

Santoyo's death was just blocks from where a 19-year-old man was shot in the stomach less than three hours later, in the 800 block of W. 19th St. Police said that man was in serious condition at Stroger as of Sunday night.