Remembering high school athlete killed in Little Village shooting – NBC Chicago

Members of Chicago’s Pilsen community attended a vigil to remember a star high school athlete who was preparing for his senior year but was fatally shot a week ago.

Juan Salgado, 17, was shot and killed on 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 soccer fields at Juarez Community Academy to honor Juan.

The captain of the team – he was supposed 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 really looking forward to his last season.”

Natasha said Juan was funny and loving. He was also respected by many.

“He was an amazing person who was so loved by all his friends, many people loved him,” she said.

Grecia Salgado, Juan’s sister, said she has no hatred in her heart toward the person responsible for her brother’s death.
She hopes that the community learns its lesson – and that the senseless violence stops.

“I just want you to know that you picked up a good man,” 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 adored by many.

“When a classmate or teammate was sick or struggling, he was the one on the phone texting to make sure they were better,” said Rev. Brendan Curran, an organizer with the Resurrection Project. “That’s him.”

Juan’s family and friends will say goodbye to him at a memorial service planned for Friday.

According to Chicago police, no one was in custody as of Monday evening.