Heartbroken Chicago mothers hope for justice, but may never get it

FOX 32 NEWS - The past week has been a whirlwind for Chicago, with most of us focused on a World Series win and an historic election.

But for the families who live in the most violent parts of the city, there is no escaping the gunfire.

Just on Wednesday, a 13-year-old was shot and injured in Little Village.

Bloody crime scenes play out every day in some parts of Chicago, and with each murder the body count grows.

The numbers are staggering. This year alone, more than 3800 people have been shot in Chicago and 610 people have been killed.

Nanette Luna’s son is part of the 2016 crime stats. But to her, he is more than just a number.

"They are somebody's child, somebody's brother, somebody's sister,” Luna said.

Her son, Victor Felix, was shot in June while walking to John Hancock High School. The 16-year-old gentle giant was an honor roll student with no gang ties and the potential of playing college basketball.

Luna wasn't with him when he took his final breath, and it haunts her every day.

"When he would get hurt, I was always there for him...and I don't know if he hurt.  I wasn't there.  It’s a feeling I can't describe. It hurts so bad,” she said.

That was five months ago, and Chicago police say it remains an open investigation.

While Luna has these memories, she has no justice.

"We have a beautiful city...you can see the skyline and to think on those streets, someone is dying every day,” she said. "Why my son?  He had so much going for him, why him?"

Nikki Cirilo Vega knows the pain all too well. Her son, Brandon Torres, was shot in the head three years ago. The 21-year-old with a clean record and a contagious smile was in a car with friends in the Back of the Yards when gang bangers fired in their direction for no reason. He was only 21.

“I couldn't help him. I couldn't make things right, which I am used to doing...as a mother,” Vega said.

She calls detectives every week for an update.  The case is open, but her hope is fading.

"Very frustrated…extremely frustrated. And the more people who get shot, and nobody gets justice, I know I am not alone...but I am like, why?" Vega said.

"Everyone goes on with their life and I’m stuck...until I have peace, I’ll be stuck,” she added.

Chicago police say they continue to investigate these cases, but they do need people to come forward with new information to help solve the cases.