New surveillance photos released of suspected gunman in fatal shooting in front of Pilsen school
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago Police are looking for the person they believe is the gunman responsible for shooting four teenagers and killing two of them in front of Benito Juarez Community Academy in Pilsen.
As CBS 2's Sabrina Franza reports, sources say the two teens who were shot and survived are both doing fine, as fine as they could be, with family. Two others were fatally struck in the head.
The two who died have since been identified as 14-year-old Nathan Billegas and 15-year-old Brandon Perez.
Nathan's family Saturday said they were not ready to share details about the high school freshman.
School officials said extra security will be in place at Juarez on Monday, along with grief counselors to support students and staff as they return to school in the wake of the shooting.
School officials said they have heard talks of a possible student walkout on Monday. If and when students decide to do so, they will have the staff's full support.
Meanwhile, police are reviewing surveillance video and likely interviewing those two surviving teens to try to find the person responsible for this.
Friday around dismissal at Benito Juarez Community Academy witnesses told CBS 2 they heard six to eight gunshots.
Two other victims, a 15-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy, were struck in their thighs. The boy was also struck in the shoulder. Both survived.
Clearly distraught students evacuated the school following a brief lockdown. By Saturday it was a much different scene: quiet with a small memorial of candles and flowers.
Meanwhile, Supt. David Brown said investigators believe the shooting was a potential gang conflict.
Sources say the victims did not all attend the same high school, that only two of the four attend Benito Juarez.
Police released photos of the person they believe could be responsible. The person can be seen in a coat, appearing to run through the snow near the school.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot responded to Friday's shooting Saturday morning, pointing to the "pressing need for illegal guns to be taken off our streets."
This senseless act of violence and disregard for life injured four teens—two of whom tragically passed away from their injuries. I am beyond outraged by this incident, which highlights the pressing need for illegal guns to be taken off our streets and out of the hands of those
— Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) December 17, 2022
seeking to cause harm. As more details unfold, I want to express my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the students whose lives were ripped away from them far too soon and without warning.
— Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) December 17, 2022
It's not clear if the gun used in the shooting was illegal.
Police said they need the community's help to get to the bottom of this.No one is in custody. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chicago Police Department.
On Sunday morning, community leaders are expected to be at the school, to call for stricter gun rules and to offer a rewaqrd to anyone with information that could identify the shooter.
Students will return to Benito Juarez High School on Monday morning. There will be extra security and grief counselors on campus.