Two men charged with murder after 17-year-old David Gonzalez shot down in Brighton Park

Sergio Gonzalez (left), Jose Juarez | Chicago Police

Sergio Gonzalez (left), Jose Juarez | Chicago Police

By MITCH DUDEK
Chicago Sun-Times

Bond was set at $1 each million Sunday for fatally shooting 17-year-old David Gonzalez in a Brighton Park neighborhood drive-by shooting late Thursday.

Sergio Gonzalez and Jose Juarez, both 20, opened fire from a white SUV as it passed the boy on the 3100 block of West 41st Place about 10:30 p.m., Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Molly Donnelly said in court.

Gonzalez and Juarez then sped off as the teen lay dying, struck by eight bullets, Donnelly said.

But their vehicle crashed about two miles away as police officers matched the car to an eyewitness description and gave chase. A third person, who was driving the SUV, ran off and escaped.

Gonzalez ran, losing a shoe in the process, Donnelly said. He was arrested by backup officers who arrived on the scene. Officers retraced Gonzalez’s escape route and recovered a 9 mm handgun, Donnelly said.

Juarez, carrying a .40-caliber handgun, also ran. As police pursued and Juarez was running “he extended his arm with the gun back towards the officer,” Donnelly said. The officer fired twice but missed.

Moments later, Juarez dropped his gun—which was recovered and found to be loaded—as the officer caught up and placed him under arrest, authorities said.

David Gonzalez was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he later died. The boy lived on the block where the shooting happened, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Bullet cartridges found in the SUV matched the weapons police recovered, Donnelly said.

Both suspects are charged with first-degree murder. Juarez also faces charges of aggravated assault to a peace officer, unlawful possession of a firearm by a gang member, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon without a FOID card. They are due back in court Monday.

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