Local News

3 Found Shot Dead In Little Village Home

Police: Victims Were Likely Targeted

CHICAGO (CBS) ― In the wake of nearly two weeks marked by an unusually severe rash of violence, three people have been shot dead in the Little Village neighborhood. 

Two men and a woman were discovered inside a home in the 2800 block of South Kildare Avenue – an area that neighbors say is plagued by gang violence and drug trafficking.

Neighbors said they have seen a lot of people going in and out of the brick two-flat at all hours of the night, and the sound of gunfire was no surprise.

The bodies were discovered around 6:40 a.m. Police said they were conducting a well-being check at the home when they found an opened back door.

An Ogden District police tactical officer said all three victims were shot. The property was ransacked, but there was no sign of forced entry.

All three were bound and tied, police said.

"We believe there was drug activity involved and this was an intended target," said police spokesperson Monique Bond.

They also said there have been several drive-by shootings in the neighborhood since the first of the year because of a war between two gangs.

Police say they believe that means there may be a connection between the victims and whoever shot them. Investigators also believe illegal activity was occurring inside the home.

"There was no forced entry in the back door, so that's an indicator that perhaps the victim and the offenders knew each other," said Ogden District Police Cmdr. Roberto Zavala. "Secondly, the fact that there was a money counter indicated that there could have been drug activity in the location."

Neighbors said a For Rent sign had been in the window of the building up until three or four days ago.

"It's scary, but it's not surprising at all because it happens a lot around here," said neighbor Kalina Ortiz. "There's a lot of violence."

"It's disturbing what teenagers have gotten themselves into nowadays," added neighbor Howard Payne.

"There was always people coming in and out all hours of the night, as young as 13 years old to adults," said neighbor Ricardo Trevino.

In a neighborhood where gangs have long flourished, the pastor at Good Shepard Church is working hard with others to provide alternatives.

"Give them more opportunities, more choices, so they don't feel that have to be in a going to feel safe and feel important," said the church's Fr. Marco Marcadeo.

Marguerita Villanueva, who has lived in the neighborhood 30 years, prayed for the victims, but she's had enough.

"I'm planning to go back to Texas," she said. "I cannot live here anymore."

And even among some young people, optimism is in short supply.

"I think the gangs will be here. They've been here for a long time," said area resident Deenise Buenrostro. "I think all they killings that have happened, they're not going to stop." 

Police are asking residents to trust them and come forward with information.

Identities of the bodies have not been released, pending completion of autopsies by the medical examiner.

CBS 2's Joanie Lum and Derrick Blakley, the Associated Press and the STNG Wire contributed to this report.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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