Belinda M. Fuentes Herrera, a 19-year-old woman from Chicago, Illinois, was fatally shot on January 16, 2025, in the New City neighborhood on the South Side. She was driving through an alley in the 2000 block of West 47th Street when she was approached by an individual who fired multiple shots at her. The attack left her with gunshot wounds to her face and chest. Her vehicle continued rolling for about 50 feet before crashing. She was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Authorities identified Trevon Smith, an 18-year-old man with no prior criminal record, as the suspect in the case. Smith and Fuentes Herrera had been in an on-and-off relationship since 2022. On the night of the incident, Fuentes Herrera had invited Smith to spend time together. She picked him up, and they drove toward her mother’s house. However, Smith asked her to stop in an alley, claiming he wanted to get out. As he exited the vehicle, he pulled out a firearm and began shooting, striking Fuentes Herrera multiple times.
A witness living near the scene reported hearing gunfire and seeing a man dressed in black clothing and white shoes with his arm inside Fuentes Herrera’s vehicle. However, the witness did not hear any argument or disturbance before the shooting. After the attack, Smith fled through several yards before calling 911 to confess to the crime. When officers arrived, they found him wearing dark clothing and white tennis shoes, holding a 9-millimeter pistol in one hand and a phone in the other. He complied with police instructions to drop the items. Investigators recovered five shell casings at the scene that matched the weapon Smith was carrying.
Smith was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder. Judge Antara River ordered him detained while he awaits trial. Fuentes Herrera’s family and friends expressed their grief over her tragic death. She was described as a hardworking young woman who managed a business and prioritized the well-being of others. She had aspirations of marriage and moving abroad. She was also deeply religious, attending church every Sunday with her father. Her family, including her parents, sister, and two younger brothers, mourned her loss and launched a fundraiser to honor her memory.
