A suburban Chicago teenager has died after he was shot alongside two other teens during what his family said was a violent robbery as he traveled to a concert at the United Center over the weekend. NBC 5’s Christian Farr reports.
A suburban Chicago teenager has died after he was shot alongside two other teens during what his family said was a violent robbery as he traveled to a concert at the United Center over the weekend.
According to police, the incident took place around 6:56 p.m. Sunday in the 100 block of North Wolcott Avenue near West Warren Boulevard.
Eighteen-year-old Jess Kendall from Elgin was traveling with his girlfriend to a Lil Durk concert, which was taking place at the popular Chicago venue, just blocks away from where the shooting happened, according to his brother Thomas Kendall.
The United Center reported Lil Durk held his First Annual Birthday Bash at the venue Sunday.
While police have not yet released details surrounding the shooting, Thomas Kendall told NBC Chicago his brother and his brother's girlfriend were standing by a car waiting for friends when a group of young men approached them and demanded their belongings at gunpoint.
Thomas Kendall said the group exchanged words before the suspects "pistol-whipped" his brother and knocked him to the ground. He said the information was relayed to him from his brother's girlfriend, who was present at the time of the incident.
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"They say something smug to him, and he says, 'Don't talk to me like that' or something and then they pistol whip him. They pistol whip the kid. And then he gets up and then they push him down and pistol whip him again. You know, he grabs their gun... and then they shoot him," Thomas Kendall said.
Police said two other teens - a 19-year-old and an 18-year-old - were also wounded in the shooting. The 19-year-old was in critical condition with wounds to the rib area while the 18-year-old was in good condition after being shot in the hand and suffering a graze wound to the abdomen.
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No one was in custody, police said, and no further details surrounding the circumstances of the incident were provided.
Elgin School District U-46 released a statement Monday morning confirming one of its students was killed in the shooting.
"We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of one of our Elgin High School students following a tragic incident over the weekend. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the student’s family, friends, and all those affected by this loss," the district said. "In response, our school is providing counseling and support services to help students and staff during this difficult time."
Thomas Kendall said his little brother was a "superstar" who cut grass for elderly neighbors, wanted to go to automotive school and "wanted to do something with his life."
"My little brother was the best friend I had in the world," Thomas Kendall said.
As of early Monday morning, the shooting remained under investigation.
