By Karen Haave
The Crete-Monee school community is in mourning following the tragic shooting of two students in an apparent robbery in Chicago on January 22.
Seventeen-year-old Jordan Nixon of University Park was shot in the chest and died. An 18-year-old who was with him was shot in the right elbow and taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center. School officials said on Thursday that he is in stable condition.
The two teens reportedly were in Chicago trying to buy a pair of sneakers from an online seller. But instead of exchanging money for shoes, the seller took their money and shot them. Three other people in the car with them were not physically harmed.
Crete Police Chief Scott Pieritz was unable to provide additional information, noting the incident took place in Chicago and is out of the village’s jurisdiction.
“On behalf of the Crete Police Department, I extend my sincere condolences to the family, friends, and teachers of this young man,” he said.
“Sgt. Konvalinka and our comfort dog, Lilly, will be at the school this week giving any assistance we can during this difficult time. In addition, the police department will be there in support capacity, as needed.”
The school district also is providing counseling services at the high school throughout the coming week to support students who may need some assistance processing this news.
“This is a truly devastating time for our entire school community,” Dr. Karla Coglianese, superintendent for Crete-Monee schools, said on Thursday.
“We ask families and community members to please join us in keeping the student’s family and friends in your thoughts.”
Monee Mayor Therese Bogs acknowledged the incident during Wednesday’s meeting of the village board.
“I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Jordan Nixon, who was a Crete-Monee student,” she said. “It was very, very tragic what happened, so we do want to express our sympathy to his family.”
A Chicago man was charged with the shooting on January 26.