16-year-old Andrew Zamora charged with fatal shooting of Abel Ruvalcaba in Little Village

Jeff Mayes — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 11:12:26 -0500

By JORDAN OWEN and RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the fatal shooting of Abel Ruvalcaba, who was out driving with friends early Monday in the Little Village neighborhood on the Southwest Side.

Andrew Zamora shot the 21-year-old Ruvalcaba without "provocation" as he sat in the front seat passenger side of a four-door car around 4:30 a.m. Monday, Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Kim Przekota said in court.

As the car Ruvalcaba was in came to the intersection of 24th and Sawyer, Zamora approached the vehicle, Przekota said.

Ruvalcaba, through his open window, asked Zamora where he was from.

Right after the question was asked, Zamora "immediately" raised his arm and fired at Ruvalcaba, Przekota said.

Ruvalcaba was hit twice in the right shoulder.

The driver of the car rushed Ruvalcaba toward Mount Sinai Hospital and flagged down police, Przekota said. Those officers escorted the car to the hospital where Ruvalcaba, of the 2200 block of South Spaulding, later died.

Meanwhile, other officers who heard the gunshots saw Zamora running a block and a half away, Przekota said.

Zamora, of the 4100 block of West 26th, allegedly made eye contact with the officers but kept running north on Sawyer and crossed Cermak into an industrial area. As the teen fled, officers said they saw him take off his shirt and throw his gun in some weeds.

The officers were able to catch up with Zamora just three minutes after he allegedly fired his Glock, 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. The gun was recovered and Zamora was identified by the back seat passenger, Przekota said. Four 9 mm shell casing were also taken from the scene.

Judge Peggy Chiampas asked prosecutors what Ruvalcaba had specifically asked, but Przekota said the police report did not mention details.

The prosecutor did tell the judge that Zamora told police he knew he was shooting at "Kings" and that tests will probably show that he fired the gun.

Zamora, a high school student, denies any gang affiliation, according to court testimony.

Andrew Zamora | Homicide Watch Chicago

16-year-old Andrew Zamora charged with fatal shooting of Abel Ruvalcaba in Little Village