On the morning of August 26, 2021, 26-year-old Victor Andrade was fatally shot outside the Kankakee County Courthouse in Kankakee, Illinois. Victor, along with his 23-year-old brother, Miguel Andrade, had just exited the courthouse after attending a hearing related to charges against Victor for criminal sexual abuse of a child under five and possession of child pornography. As they walked toward their vehicle, they were approached by 24-year-old Antonio Hernandez from Waukegan, who was armed with multiple weapons, including a long gun. Hernandez opened fire, striking Victor multiple times and also injuring a 20-year-old man who was nearby. Victor succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
In response to the attack, Miguel retrieved a firearm from their vehicle and pursued Hernandez. The confrontation escalated into a running gun battle that spanned the south lawn of the courthouse and into a nearby parking lot. During this exchange, Miguel shot and killed Hernandez. Law enforcement officers arrived promptly and took Miguel into custody without further incident. The injured 20-year-old was transported to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery and was reported to be recovering.
Authorities identified all the primary individuals involved—Victor Andrade, Miguel Andrade, and Antonio Hernandez—as members of the Latin Kings gang. The incident was attributed to an internal conflict within the gang that had been ongoing for several months. Following the shooting, Miguel Andrade was charged with murder and possession of a stolen firearm. He was later indicted on two counts of second-degree murder for the death of Antonio Hernandez. Bond was set at $3 million.
The brazen nature of the attack, occurring in broad daylight near a busy courthouse, prompted temporary lockdowns of nearby schools and city buildings as a precaution. Multiple firearms were recovered from the scene, underscoring the severity of the confrontation. The community of Kankakee was left reeling from the violence, highlighting the persistent challenges posed by gang-related conflicts in the area.
