October 7, 2008
Candles, roses and tears for teen
Police say slaying in Logan Square may be gang-related
On the sidewalk near his home, Leonardo Otero's blood stains the concrete.
A drive-by shooting Monday night claimed the 15-year-old's life as he walked with his younger brother and cousin just three blocks from his Logan Square home on the city's Northwest Side. He lay dying in his brother's arms as they waited for an ambulance to arrive."This white mini-van just crept up and started shooting," said his brother, Adrian Otero, 14, standing near a makeshift memorial erected by the family at the site of the shooting. "We started running."
Relatives said Leonardo was struck in the chest near the corner of Springfield Avenue and George Street and ran for about 20 yards before collapsing.
"My cousin said, 'I just got hit,' and I was telling him to keep running," said Luis Gonzalez, 15.
Chicago police said that after the shooting the gunman jumped back into the van and sped from the scene. No one else was wounded. Police said the shooting, which occurred about 7 p.m., may have been gang-related, but it was not immediately known if the victim was in a gang.
"We don't know at this point if he was targeted or if they were shooting at someone else," said Grand-Central District Lt. Scott Schwieger. No one was in custody late Tuesday, police said.
Otero was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead a short time later, Schwieger said.
Relatives said Otero, who lived on the 2600 block of North Springfield Avenue, was not a gang member and recalled him as a teenager who loved football, video games and family.
The makeshift memorial contains candles, a new football, red roses, stuffed animals and a Puerto Rican flag. The relatives said police ordered them not to congregate in front of the memorial.
"He was a wonderful kid," said his stepmother, Isabel Trueba, 29. "He always helped my kids with homework, took them to the store and made sure they never got hurt."
Otero's younger brother said little Tuesday afternoon, periodically wiping his reddened eyes.
Leonardo was the second oldest child of nine brothers and sisters, he said.
"He was one of the only people I spent time with," Adrian Otero said.
Neighbors expressed sadness mixed with fear about the boy's murder, noting the rise in violence they believe began two years ago. Maria Elena Abarca-Peres said she watches the young men gather on her street without parental supervision and worries for them.
"I'd rather not work and be with my children to keep them safe," she said.
Tribune staff reporter Jason Meisner contributed to this report.
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