BREAKING: An 18-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after a shooting near the Little Village Academy Elementary School left another man critically injured on Tuesday morning. Kaleb Ortega-Guardiola, of the 2700 block of South Lawndale Avenue, faces serious charges following the incident that sent shockwaves through the community and left parents and teachers on high alert.
The shooting occurred at approximately 8:40 a.m. as the 31-year-old male victim was driving north in Little Village when he was shot in the head. This alarming incident took place just around the corner from the elementary school located at 2620 S. Lawndale Ave. After being struck, the victim lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a parked car. Fortunately, no one else was harmed during the chaotic scene.
The victim was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition, as authorities worked quickly to apprehend Ortega-Guardiola. He was arrested just a few hours later, with the Chicago Police Department confirming the charges of attempted murder and aggravated battery. A detention hearing is scheduled for this coming Friday at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse.
Teachers and students at the school were thrown into a state of alarm. Maria Alarcon, a third-grade teacher with six years at the school, recounted how her class heard the gunfire before going into lockdown. “We kind of went into a cute little, you know, ‘Let’s play some music to kind of block everything out,'” Alarcon explained, highlighting the tense atmosphere.
Parents expressed their concerns about communication during the crisis. Gigi Tolentino, whose 4-year-old daughter attends Head Start at the school, voiced frustration about the lack of timely updates. “We worry,” she said, emphasizing the need for immediate notifications via email or phone calls.
As the investigation unfolds, community members are left grappling with the implications of this violent act. The shooting has raised urgent questions about safety in the area, especially near schools.
Authorities are expected to provide further details as the case progresses, and parents are urged to stay informed about developments surrounding this incident. The situation remains fluid, and residents are advised to remain vigilant in the wake of this shocking event.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
