Ruby Navarrete, a 15-year-old girl from Cicero, Illinois, tragically lost her life on November 20, 2022, during a shooting at a garage party in Chicago's Austin neighborhood. The incident occurred around 11:40 p.m. in the 5800 block of West Augusta Boulevard. Ruby, along with 44-year-old Lynner Hawkins from Gary, Indiana, was fatally shot when an unknown assailant opened fire on the gathering.
The party, which had been advertised on social media, drew a large crowd, and chaos ensued as attendees tried to flee the scene. Ruby was struck in the head and was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital. Hawkins, who was shot in the chest, also succumbed to his injuries at the same hospital. A 39-year-old man was injured in the leg and was taken to West Suburban Hospital in critical condition.
The investigation into the shooting revealed that the party was held at a location that was, or had been, a motorcycle club, although it did not have a current business license. Neighbors reported that large gatherings were common at the site, but the scale of this event was unprecedented. Cell phone footage captured the moments leading up to the shooting, showing people dancing before the gunfire erupted. Despite the presence of a sign indicating that weapons were not allowed, the shooter managed to bring a firearm into the party.
On December 12, 2022, Edwin Lagunas, an 18-year-old man, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, and one count of aggravated battery with a firearm. Lagunas was identified as the shooter who killed Ruby Navarrete and Lynner Hawkins. According to police, Lagunas fired shots into a group of people standing on the sidewalk near the party venue. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, but it has been suggested that a fight broke out shortly before the gunfire began. Lagunas was scheduled to appear in bond court following his arrest.
The death of Ruby Navarrete, a young Latina girl, has left her community in mourning. She was a student at Morton East High School, where grief counseling was made available to students and staff. The school district expressed its condolences and emphasized the need to respect the family's privacy during this difficult time. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and authorities continue to seek information from the public to bring justice for Ruby and the other victims.
