CHICAGO – The Pilsen neighborhood got here collectively Tuesday to recollect a beloved neighbor who was killed in considered one of Chicago’s many weekend shootings.
What we all know:
Pedro Toledo, who was identified affectionately as “Pepe,” was unhoused and lived on the streets in Pilsen.
There, neighborhood members say he was a optimistic mild, and all the time greeted them with a smile.
Over Labor Day Weekend, nevertheless, Toledo was the sufferer of a taking pictures that unfolded close to seventeenth Road and Wolcott.
Neighbors imagine he was not the supposed goal and as an alternative was caught within the crossfire.
On Tuesday night, neighborhood members gathered to honor Toledo’s life and to wish the rosary in his reminiscence. On the nook of seventeenth and Wolcott, the place they gathered, a memorial is rising bigger with flowers and candles.
Those that knew Toledo shared that he was a pleasant face within the neighborhood.
“I grew up and he was all the time round; he was very candy. Everybody in my household knew him,” stated Kimberly Chilchoa, who left a bouquet of flowers at Toledo’s memorial on Tuesday. “He was a really joyful man, cheerful man, very well mannered, even when he did not know you, he would nonetheless wave hello.”
“I would like him to be remembered as a really variety particular person, very respectful,” stated Juanita Romero, who was mates with Toledo. “He was a really humble particular person. Typically we might give him sweaters, hats, scarves, and he would not take it. He would inform me, ‘No Bebe, it is not chilly.’ And I’m going, ‘Sure, it’s chilly, it is chilly,’ and he goes, ‘No, thanks, I am not chilly.'”
Toledo misplaced his life throughout a violent weekend within the metropolis, the place police stated eight folks have been killed and at least 50 others have been injured throughout 37 shootings.
What’s subsequent:
Buddies have began a GoFundMe account in hopes to cowl Toledo’s funeral bills. Moreover, they’d prefer to fee an area mural in his reminiscence.
Any leftover funds obtained will probably be donated to a Pilsen meals pantry in Toledo’s title.
