Police say fatal shooting of Mario Venegas Jr. was ‘accidental,’ but two teenagers charged with felonies

By MITCHELL ARMENTROUT
Chicago Sun-Times Wire

Orlando Gonzalez | Chicago Police

Orlando Gonzalez | Chicago Police

Two teenagers have been charged with the accidental fatal shooting of 15-year-old Mario Venegas Jr. last week as they played with a gun inside a Humboldt Park neighborhood home.

Venegas suffered a gunshot wound to the head about 1:25 p.m. in a building in the 2700 block of West Evergreen, according to Chicago Police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

He was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he died at 8:58 a.m. Saturday, authorities said. He lived in 2000 block of West McLean. An autopsy Sunday ruled his death a homicide.

Orlando Gonzalez, 18, of the 2000 block of North Hoyne, was charged with one felony count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon without a FOID card, according to a statement from police,

Mario Venegas Jr. | Facebook

Mario Venegas Jr. | Facebook

A 17-year-old boy was charged with involuntary manslaughter and unlawful possession of a firearm by someone under 18 years of age, bot felonies, according to police.

Police said that the 17-year-old had been handling the gun, which belonged to Gonzalez, inside the residence when it accidentally discharged. The boy lived in the same block as the shooting.

Gonzalez’s bond was set at $150,000, and his next court date is scheduled for Aug. 12, according to the Cook County sheriff’s website. Court information for the boy was not immediately available.

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