UPDATE: An 18-year-old has been charged with attempted murder following a shocking shooting near a Little Village elementary school that left a man critically injured. The incident occurred at approximately 8:40 a.m. today, sending parents and educators into a state of alarm.
Kaleb Ortega-Guardiola, of the 2700 block of South Lawndale Avenue, faces serious charges including aggravated battery. He is scheduled for a detention hearing this Friday at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, according to police reports.
The shooting unfolded when a 31-year-old male victim was driving north near Little Village Academy Elementary School at 2620 S. Lawndale Ave.. Authorities say Ortega-Guardiola shot the victim in the head, causing him to lose control of his vehicle and crash into a parked car. The victim was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition, and fortunately, no other individuals were harmed during the incident.
Witness accounts from the school highlight the immediate impact of the gunfire. Maria Alarcon, an elementary school teacher, reported that students and staff heard the shots and quickly went into lockdown mode. “We played some music to kind of block everything out,” she shared, reflecting on the tense atmosphere in the classroom.
Parents are demanding better communication from school officials during emergencies. Gigi Tolentino, whose 4-year-old daughter attends Head Start at the school, expressed her concerns. “We worry as parents,” she stated, emphasizing the need for timely updates via email or phone when such alarming incidents occur.
The suspect was apprehended a couple of hours after the shooting, bringing a sense of relief to the community. This incident underscores the urgent need for increased safety measures in and around schools, especially in neighborhoods grappling with gun violence.
As the investigation continues, local authorities are urging anyone with additional information to come forward. The Little Village community remains on high alert as they await further updates on the victim’s condition and the judicial proceedings against Ortega-Guardiola.
Stay tuned for more breaking news as this story develops.
