Leonardo Betancourt, a 13-year-old Hispanic boy from Chicago, IL, tragically lost his life on May 2, 2016. Leonardo was shot while he was a passenger in a moving car in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. The incident occurred around 6:34 p.m. when someone in a vehicle behind him opened fire. Leonardo was struck in the back by a bullet that pierced through the car seat.
Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital an hour later.
Leonardo was a seventh grader at Seward Academy and was described by his family as a smart and lively child with no gang affiliations. His family emphasized that he was an innocent victim caught in a violent act likely intended for someone else. The car he was in was believed to be the intended target due to possible gang connections of one of the older passengers.
The investigation into Leonardo's death led to the arrest of Robert Morales, a 26-year-old man who was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. Morales implicated himself in the crime after accidentally shooting himself in the arm. He was taken into custody and held on a $2 million bond. The case highlighted the ongoing issues of gang violence in the neighborhood and the devastating impact it has on innocent lives.
