CHICAGO (WLS) — A memorial is rising on Tuesday on the spot the place a person was killed whereas standing within the crossfire of a Southwest Aspect gun battle over the weekend, kinfolk advised ABC7.
When the sound of gunfire erupted close to Juanita Romero’s residence, she didn’t know that the violence took the lifetime of her decades-old good friend, who members of the family recognized as Pedro Toledo.
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“He was the icon of this neighborhood. Everyone cherished him,” Romero stated. “There was plenty of gunshots. I jumped out of my mattress. It scared me a lot.”
Balloons, candles, and an image of the person beloved within the Pilsen neighborhood now mark the realm the place his life ended and his family members’ heartache started.
“He won’t ever be forgotten. He’ll at all times be remembered right here,” Romero stated.
Kinfolk say the 57-year-old, who was affectionately often called Pepe, was certainly one of three individuals shot on Sunday morning close to seventeenth and Wolcott when a number of gunmen opened fireplace.
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Police say Toledo was shot a number of instances. He was the one sufferer of that capturing who died from his accidents.
Toledo’s household and associates advised ABC7 he was an harmless bystander, caught within the crossfire of gun violence after years of experiencing homelessness.
“He survived all these years via winters, via COVID, and nothing ever occurred to him. And for him to die this manner, it is simply not truthful,” Romero stated.
“Family and friends say they plan to collect on the memorial till Toledo is laid to relaxation. Kinfolk stated his funeral preparations are pending. To date, nobody has been arrested in reference to the capturing.
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