Ulysses “Uly Bear” Campos, 9, male, Hispanic/Latino, was fatally shot on July 8, 2023, in Franklin Park, Illinois. He had been playing with cousins in the alley behind a home in the 2800 block of Elder Lane during his grandmother's birthday party when a car rolled through and multiple shots rang out. A bullet struck him in the chest. He was rushed to Loyola University Medical Center, where he died; relatives said he was just two weeks shy of turning 10. Police said four to six shots were fired from the moving vehicle around 10:15 p.m. and described the attack as an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the public.
Neighbors and relatives remembered a gentle boy with a bright smile whose summer night turned tragic in seconds as adults gathered inside and children played outside. The shock rippled quickly through the community as word spread of a child shot at a family celebration; a fundraiser was organized to help with funeral costs, and mourners spoke of his kindness and the ordinary joy of a birthday party cut short.
Investigators moved swiftly, reviewing surveillance and witness accounts. Within days, a suspect was identified: Javier Murillo of Melrose Park. Authorities said he fired from the vehicle, and he was charged with first-degree murder in Ulysses's death. A judge later denied him bond. Early police updates had noted a person of interest was in custody while detectives pieced together the sequence in the alley before the gunfire.
