Family Honors Santino Delgado and Calls for Justice

On November 10, family and friends of Santino Delgado marched from a community organization’s office to a memorial near West Diversey Avenue and North St. Louis Avenue, where he was killed. They lit candles, left flowers and carried signs calling for justice and an end to gun violence. More than 100 people attended, and Delgado’s family wore shirts bearing his photograph and the words “Justice for Santino Delgado.”

Delgado was riding with his father while making deliveries on November 3. Their vehicle was held up by congestion along the 3400 block of West Diversey Avenue around 9:50 p.m., when a white SUV drew up beside them and someone inside fired, striking Delgado in the back. His father was not hurt. The SUV fled south on Central Park Avenue.

Delgado was taken to Illinois Masonic Hospital, where he later died. No one had been arrested or charged by November 10, and Chicago police Area 5 detectives are investigating. Investigators had not announced any developments in efforts to locate the shooter.

His sister, Lyannie Gomez, said Delgado was training to be a mechanic, had recently begun attending City Colleges of Chicago and worked to help support their household. She said he had plans and a future ahead of him, and called for a thorough investigation, accountability and answers. The family urged anyone with information to come forward and said it did not want retaliation.

Ald. Anthony Quezada, whose constituency covers parts of Logan Square and Avondale, was present at the vigil and voiced his office’s support for the family’s pursuit of accountability. Neighbors and relatives also spoke about feeling less safe in the area and remembered Delgado as hardworking, generous and funny.