2 Killed, 2 Wounded in Shooting at Benito Juarez Community Academy

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Two teens were killed and two other teens were wounded in a shooting at Benito Juarez Community Academy in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood Friday afternoon, according to police.

Fire officials said police and paramedics responded to a shooting shortly before 3 p.m. at the school in the 2100 block of South Laflin Street where four people were discovered with gunshot wounds.

According to police:

  • A 14-year-old boy was struck to the head and taken to Stroger Hospital where he was pronounced dead
  • A 15-year-old boy was struck to the head and taken to Stroger Hospital where he was pronounced dead
  • A 15-year-old girl sustained a graze wound to the thigh and was transported to Stroger Hospital in good condition.
  • A 15-year-old boy was struck to the shoulder and thigh and was transported to Stroger Hospital in good condition.

The 15-year-old boy who succumbed to his injuries has been identified as Brandon Perez.

On Saturday, Noble Schools confirmed in a statement that one of the teens killed and one of the teens wounded were students at a school in the Noble Network of Charter Schools.

“We recently learned about senseless gun violence that took the lives of two students and injured two others outside of Benito Juarez High School. It is with a heavy heart that we share that one of the students killed and one of the students injured are Noble students. We send our condolences to the families of these students and we stand in solidarity with the Benito Juarez High School community as they grieve during this time. Noble and CPS are working with CPD as they confirm further details. I am deeply saddened whenever gun violence impacts our schools and communities.”

Chicago police spokesperson Tom Ahern has confirmed the shooting happened outside the school, and added that an "all-clear" has been issued to students still inside the school from CPS.

Police said that no suspects were in custody or identified following the shooting.

Chicago Public Schools released the following statement Friday afternoon:

"The safety of our school community is our top priority. This afternoon, we received reports that shots had been fired outside of Benito Juarez High School shortly after dismissal. The Chicago Police Department (CPD) and paramedics responded quickly to the scene. CPS remains in close contact with CPD and this incident is under investigation. The CPS Office of Safety and Security and other District leadership are working closely with school leadership and staff as well as CPD to gather information and respond to this incident. CPS will keep Benito Juarez families updated as well as the greater community. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this tragedy. We are providing crisis team resources to students and staff."

There is currently no further information.

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