BREAKING: An 18-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder following a shocking shooting near a Little Village elementary school that left a man critically injured on Tuesday morning. This incident has heightened fears among parents and teachers in the community.
Officials have identified the suspect as Kaleb Ortega-Guardiola, who was charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery. Police reported that the shooting occurred around 8:40 a.m. as the victim, a 31-year-old man, was driving north in Little Village. He was shot in the head near the Little Village Academy Elementary School, located at 2620 S. Lawndale Ave..
After being struck by gunfire, the victim lost control of his vehicle, crashing into a parked car. Emergency responders rushed him to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Fortunately, no other individuals were harmed during this frightening incident.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene. Maria Alarcon, a teacher at the school for six years, recounted how students and faculty heard the gunshots and promptly went into lockdown. “We kind of went into a cute little, you know, ‘Let’s play some music to kind of block everything out,’” she said, demonstrating the efforts to maintain calm.
Parents expressed their concerns regarding communication from school officials. Gigi Tolentino, whose 4-year-old daughter attends Head Start at the school, criticized the lack of immediate updates. “Because us, as parents, we worry,” she stated, emphasizing the need for timely notifications through emails or phone calls.
Law enforcement apprehended Ortega-Guardiola a few hours after the shooting. He is set to appear at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse for a detention hearing scheduled for Friday. Authorities are expected to provide further updates as the investigation unfolds.
This incident underscores ongoing concerns about safety in schools and the impact of gun violence on communities. As parents, teachers, and students grapple with the aftermath of this shocking event, many are left wondering about the measures in place to protect them.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story continues to unfold.
