URGENT UPDATE: An 18-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder following a shocking shooting that occurred near Little Village Academy Elementary School early Tuesday morning. The incident, which has left the community on high alert, unfolded around 8:40 a.m. when police say Kaleb Ortega-Guardiola shot a 31-year-old male victim in the head, critically injuring him.
The shooting took place on the 2700 block of South Lawndale Avenue, just a stone’s throw from the school located at 2620 S. Lawndale Ave.. Following the gunfire, the victim lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a parked car as Ortega-Guardiola fled the scene. Emergency services rushed the critically injured man to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he remains in serious condition.
Witnesses reported that students and teachers heard the gunshots and immediately initiated lockdown procedures. Maria Alarcon, a third-grade teacher at the school, described the tense atmosphere, stating, “We kind of went into a cute little, you know, ‘Let’s play some music to kind of block everything out.”’
Parents expressed their concerns about communication during the crisis. Gigi Tolentino, whose 4-year-old daughter attends the school, emphasized the need for immediate updates to parents. “Because us, as parents, we worry,” she stated, advocating for more timely notifications via email or phone calls.
Ortega-Guardiola, who resides in the area, was arrested a couple of hours after the incident. He is scheduled for a detention hearing on Friday at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse. Authorities confirm that no other individuals were harmed during the shooting.
As this story develops, local residents are urged to remain vigilant. The police investigation is ongoing, and more details are expected to emerge in the coming days. This incident underscores the growing concerns around safety in community spaces, particularly near schools.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
