Mayor hopes someone steps up with information on teen's slaying

Hanover Park Mayor Rodney Craig says he hopes someone comes forward with information to help police solve a fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy Saturday.

An autopsy showed Jesus Sanchez died from multiple gunshot wounds, according to a Cook County medical examiner's office spokesman Monday. The medical examiner classified Sanchez's death as a homicide.

Sanchez was killed near his home in the 7100 block of Mulberry Street as he walked from a park after playing soccer with his twin brother and friends, authorities said. He was pronounced dead shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday at St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates.

Craig said police were still seeking leads in the case and that no arrests had been made as of Monday. He said assistance from residents will be vital for Sanchez's killer to be caught.

"If anybody has seen anything, let us know," Craig said. "People in the neighborhoods have to help us to help them."

Family members said Sanchez's father, mother and three siblings were getting ready to visit a store about 9 p.m. Saturday when they heard the shots. Sanchez's half-sister, Lupe Ramirez, 17, lives in the same house and said the family thought they had heard fireworks and not gunshots.

Sanchez was expelled by Elgin Area School District U-46 for stabbing another student last year, according to Ramirez. She said Sanchez received five years probation for the stabbing.

Hanover Park Deputy Police Chief David Webb didn't respond to a request for information Monday regarding Sanchez's slaying. Craig said police have conducted interviews, but those they have talked to haven't been forthcoming with information.

Craig said Hanover Park has held crime prevention meetings with residents and is trying to make parents better informed about street gangs. He said residents must work together to prevent crime.

"To have a 16-year-old lose his life in our town is an absolute tragedy," Craig said.

Craig added that residents living in the vicinity of the slaying are under stress and should not fear sitting on their front porches to enjoy a nice evening.