A Bridgeview man was found shot to death early Monday after police answered a call of a man down on South Oketo Avenue.
Police said they found Niko Fuentes, 33, about 2:50 a.m. in the 7800 block with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.
“All we know is that he was walking down the street and got shot,” Police Chief Ricardo Mancha said. “We never even had a call of a shot fired. Someone saw him lying in the street and called us.”
His death was ruled a homicide by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Mancha said investigators found no threat to the community and no danger to Bridgeview Elementary School, a block away. The school was notified out of precaution.
Indian Springs District 109 Superintendent Crystal Skoczylas emailed parents Monday morning to alert them to the incident and to confirm police said there was no danger to the school.
From: Community activist Raul Montes, Jr.
I wanted to bring an important and heartbreaking case to your attention. A woman I know recently lost her son, Nico Fuentes, to gun violence in Bridgeview, Illinois, this past Monday.
Nico’s death has devastated his family. His mother is a very nice woman, and she is understandably distraught and grieving over the loss of her son. At this time, we do not know what the motive was or who is responsible.
I have been speaking with detectives with the Bridgeview Police Department, as well as several reporters, because I want to help bring awareness to this case and help the family get justice for Nico. We need to find out who committed this terrible killing and make sure this case does not become another cold case.
I am a community activist, and I have made it my mission to bring awareness to violence and help families and communities affected by crime. I am also working with organizations that may be willing to offer financial assistance or a reward for information that helps identify and bring the person responsible to justice.
I am asking the media to please take a serious look at Nico Fuentes’ case and help bring attention to his family’s search for answers. Someone out there may have information that could help investigators. Nico deserves justice, and his family deserves answers.
My name is Raúl Montes, Jr., and I am committed to doing what I can to bring awareness to this horrible tragedy and help the family find justice.
312-900-1981