CHICAGO (WLS) — A 17-year-old high school football player who was on the verge of becoming captain of his team died after being shot in the shoulder while driving a teammate home from practice.
Juan Salgado, 17, was set to begin his senior year at Chicago’s Juarez Community Academy in a week and become captain of the school’s football team when he was shot and killed, his family says.
Juan Salgado’s relatives gathered Friday outside the Orozco Community Academy, where the 17-year-old’s love of soccer began in elementary school.
The teenager went to soccer practice at Harrison Park on Monday, but his family said he left to take a friend and teammate who showed up to practice sick home to the Little Village neighborhood.
“He knew the friend was too bad and couldn’t go home. And even though he knew he shouldn’t go there, he did it because he felt it was the right thing for his friend,” said the teenager’s uncle, Sabastian Salgado.
According to police, Juan Salgado was driving through the neighborhood around 5 p.m. when a truck stopped and someone inside the vehicle started shooting. The 17-year-old was shot in the left shoulder and was initially taken to the hospital in good condition. But things later got worse.
The teenager died exactly one week before the start of his senior year of high school and before becoming captain of the football team he had played on since his sophomore year.
His coach Julian Gomez will now have to start school on Monday without his star player.
“He showed those leadership qualities. He showed the character that we needed as a captain and it’s very unfortunate that we won’t be able to see him on the field as a team captain anymore,” Gomez said.
Juan Salgado’s family says he used to play for the Chicago Fire Youth Soccer Club and won about 40 sports medals in his short life. A GoFundMe campaign to pay for the teenager’s funeral has raised nearly $20,000.
On GoFundMe, the 17-year-old is remembered as “the best son, brother and friend anyone could ask for.”
“He was deeply family-oriented and cherished every moment spent with his loved ones,” the fundraising page states. “His caring and compassionate nature was evident to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. His presence brought warmth and joy to all who crossed his path.”
According to police, no one is in custody for the teenager’s murder.
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