Bernardino Mercado, a 26-year-old male, was tragically shot to death on May 30, 2020, in Chicago, IL. The incident occurred around 11 p.m. in the River North neighborhood, specifically in the 100 block of West Hubbard Street. Mercado, who lived in Avondale on the Northwest Side, was walking on the sidewalk with another male when they exchanged words with a male suspect in a car. The suspect got out of the car and began hitting the other male with a handgun before shooting Mercado in the chest.
The suspect then continued to hit the other person with the gun before driving away. Mercado was pronounced dead at the scene, and an autopsy confirmed that he died from his gunshot wounds. His death was ruled a homicide.
The shooting took place amid large-scale protests in downtown Chicago following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. The protests had led to clashes between protesters and police, resulting in multiple police SUVs being flipped over or set on fire. Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced a curfew in effect from 9 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday to address the unrest.
As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with Bernardino Mercado's death. The suspect remains at large, and Area Three detectives are investigating the case. The police have not released any further information about potential suspects or motives behind the shooting. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to help solve the case.
