Slain Des Plaines boy was eighth-grader, officials say

Rosemont police are investigating the Friday night shooting death of a 14-year-old Des Plaines boy in an apartment complex near the Allstate Arena, officials said Saturday.

Patrick Boswell was found on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head about 8:55 p.m. in an easement, or gangway, between apartment buildings on the 10400 block of Betty Court, police and the Cook County medical examiner's office said.

Calls to Rosemont's 911 center first reported a disturbance and later reported gunshots just south of Betty, on the 10400 block of Carol Court in the so-called Courts complex, rows of six-flats along Touhy Avenue.

Rosemont detectives and officers with the Major Case Assistance Team are currently investigating the shooting. No one was in custody Saturday night, Rosemont Cmdr. Gregory Nazuka said.

“Investigators are working to determine whether or not this is a gang-related incident,“ Nazuka said. “As this is an open investigation; no additional information is available for release.”

Residents in the apartments on Carol Court said Saturday they heard a series of gunshots Friday night. A 24-year-old man who declined to give his name said his mom heard “something like a pop” and looked out her window, but couldn't make out anything in the dark.

Emil Smochina, 15, was sleeping when police rang his family's apartment's doorbell about 2 a.m. Officers were going door-to-door trying to find witnesses to the shooting, he said.

Patrick Boswell lived less than a mile away from the Courts on the 1600 block of Morse Avenue in Des Plaines. He was an eighth-grader at Iroquois Community School, also in Des Plaines.

His uncle, interviewed at Patrick's home, called him a “friendly kid,” an animal lover and athlete. A basketball hoop stood near Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Mouse Christmas decorations. The uncle would not give his name.

Des Plaines Elementary School District 62 officials notified parents of the fatal shooting via email Saturday afternoon. They also told families they did not know the circumstances of the shooting or any funeral arrangements.

On Monday, grief counselors will be available for students and staff at Iroquois and other district schools.

“During this terrible loss, please keep the Iroquois families and staff and the Des Plaines community in your thoughts and prayers,” spokeswoman Mindy Ward said in the email. “We are a strong and determined community. Supporting each other is very important now and in the future.”