Members of Chicago’s Pilsen community turned out for a vigil in memory of a star high school athlete who had been preparing to enter his senior year but was fatally shot a week ago.
Juan Salgado, 17, was shot and killed Aug. 19 near South Hamlin Avenue and West 26th Street in Little Village while driving a teammate home from soccer practice. On Monday, classmates, teammates, family and friends gathered near the Juarez Community Academy soccer fields to honor Juan.
The team captain – he was due to start his senior year of high school on Monday.
“He was the best player out there, he was really good at soccer,” said his girlfriend, Natasha Flores. “He loved his team and was so excited for his senior season.”
Natasha said Juan was funny and loving. He was also respected by many.
“He was an amazing person, so loved by all his friends, like many loved him,” she said.
Grecia Salgado, Juan’s sister, said she has no hatred in her heart for the person responsible for taking her brother’s life.
She hopes that society will learn a lesson – and that the senseless violence will stop.
“I just want to let you know that you took a good person,” Grecia said, sending a message to the person in charge. “He made a difference in this community.”
Others also spoke of the kind and selfless person they knew – a teenager who was loved by many.
“When a classmate or teammate was sick or going through a struggle, he would be the one texting on the phone to make sure he was feeling better,” said Rev. Brendan Curran, an organizer with the Resurrection Project. “He is.”
Juan’s family and friends will say their final goodbyes in a memorial service scheduled for Friday.
No one was in custody Monday night, according to Chicago police.