By JEFF MAYES
Homicide Watch Chicago
A young man whose life revolved around playing football, Jeremiah Parker died Monday night, fatally shot during an attempted car theft in the South Austin neighborhood on the West Side.
Jeremiah Parker (left) was a standout running back for the Roosevelt Rough Riders, and had his sights set on college football. | Facebook
The 17-year-old Roosevelt High School had just gotten out of his vehicle about 8:30 p.m. and was entering a home in the 500 block of South Lockwood, according to Chicago Police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
An armed male suspect wearing a black hoodie confronted him and demanded his car keys, according to police. A struggle ensued, during which the gun went off and the boy was struck in the chest and arm. The suspect then ran away.
Parker was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead about two hours later at 10:42 p.m., according to police and the medical examiner’s office. He lived in the 700 block of North Homan.
Germaine Padilla, football coach at Roosevelt during Parker’s first three years, said, “I’m numb, just blown away by this. Jeremiah was a quiet, humble kid. He led by example. He made it a point to stay out of trouble.
“He lived his life for athletics, that was his outlet for many things. He’s just a kid of great character. I would have taken him in and raised him as my own, he was that great of a kid.”
Parker wore No. 1, playing running back and outside linebacker for the Rough Riders, leading them to a 6-3 record this past season. He was scheduled to graduate next spring.
Roosevelt head football coach Tom Boettjer said, “He was an exceptional running back and a very good defensive linebacker. I knew I could count on him for anything. He probably led us in rushing and all we do is run the ball.
“He played varsity as a freshmen, one of the people that turned us from a football team into a football program. I would never in a million years expect this to happen to Jeremiah. I don’t know what colleges he was looking at, but whoever got him would have ended up with an amazing person and a great football player”
Just four days before his death he posted this video of highlights from his senior season: 2016-2017 SEASON.
In a Facebook post, Padilla said of Parker: “This was a great young man who did everything right and was on track to go to college and play football. One of the most respectful, courteous, nicest, and hard working players I have ever coached. He was a young man who wanted to go to college, play football, and leave the hood…
“He was an amazing young man with a Barry White type voice. He would answer all his coaches by saying, ‘Yes Coach’ or ‘No Coach.’ He was a leader on and off the field and everyone enjoyed his beautiful smile. This kid always did what was asked of him and more!!”
Parker was also a member of the track and wrestling teams at Roosevelt.
33rd Ward Ald. Deb Mell also posted condolences on Twitter.
Today we mourn the loss of Jeremiah Parker 17 a student at @RHSChicago , a victim of senseless gun violence. … https://t.co/Y0on6se4ZB
— Deb Mell (@debmell) November 8, 2016
—Michael O’Brien contributed to this story.