By RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times
Jeremy Salinas was murdered by Satan Disciples the same day members of the gang stole his bicycle and sent pictures of it on social media, Cook County prosecutors said Thursday.
Omar Hernandez | Cook County sheriff’s office
Witnesses to the June 10 shooting said the 17-year-old Salinas was gunned down while trying to retrieve his bicycle in Bridgeport.
Omar Hernandez was behind the wheel of the drive-by shooting in the 900 block of 32nd Place, assistant state’s attorney Jennifer Keating said at Hernandez’s bond hearing Thursday.
While Keating didn’t give details as to what Salinas was doing when he was shot outside a home while standing with other Latin Kings that night, she did say Salinas’ bicycle was stolen earlier in the afternoon.
Members of the Satan Disciples had contacted Salinas’ friend over social media, and further taunted the pal with pictures of the bike, prosecutors said.
Salinas’ friend allegedly responded with a message of his own, which included a video of Salinas and others.
Later that day, when Hernandez got into a car with other Satan Disciples, they agreed they would be shooting at any Latin King they saw, Keating said.
When they eyed Salinas and the rest of his group, shots were fired, Keating said.
The gunman who shot Salinas was seated directly behind the 23-year-old Hernandez, Keating said.
Salinas was shot in the left arm. The bullet exited on the right side of his abdomen, and he collapsed immediately. He died on the scene, Keating said.
Witnesses recognized some of the people in the car and were able to give police a description of the vehicle and a partial license plate, Keating said.
A surveillance camera also captured Hernandez and the others getting into the car an hour before the murder, Keating said.
Hernandez was arrested recently in the same car used in the drive-by, Keating said. He allegedly admitted his role in the crime.
Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil ordered Hernandez, of the 1400 block of West 18th Street, held on a $1 million bond.