David Hresil’s family is still seeking answers nearly 18 years after the 18-year-old was fatally shot while walking home from St Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago’s West Lawn neighbourhood.
Hresil, a senior at the school, was killed on 8 January 2009 near 60th Street and Springfield Avenue. His relatives say he had been expected home that afternoon, where the family planned to see him.
Instead, his mother, Monica Hresil, received an urgent telephone call while she was at a laundromat and was told to return home immediately.
The family said David had been shot 12 times and was found on the pavement, with shell casings scattered around him. His mother said she could not understand why anyone would have attacked him so violently.
“Why would somebody shoot somebody 12 times? I just couldn’t understand it at all,” she said.
Police were told that a 1990s four-door Chevrolet Suburban was seen leaving the area shortly after the shooting. No one has been publicly identified as responsible, and the motive remains unclear.
Family continues to seek answers over Chicago shooting
Linda Hresil, David’s sister, said the family had considered whether he could have been mistaken for someone else, but had never discovered what led to his death.
She remembers her brother as a joyful young man who loved life.
“When I look at his smile, I feel happiness because he was a happy kid,” she said.
The years have not diminished the impact of the killing. Linda said David never had the opportunity to have children of his own or see his nieces and nephews grow up.
“I always tell my kids, I wonder what kind of uncle he would be to you guys,” she said. “He’d be amazing.”
His mother said she still thinks about what her son might have achieved had he survived.
The family is now appealing again to anyone who may have information, urging witnesses to come forward even if they believe what they know is insignificant.
“If anyone knows anything, if you could see the pain me, my daughter and my whole family are going through,” Monica Hresil said. “I would hate to see any family have to deal with what we have to go through. It’s torn our family apart.”
Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for information leading to an arrest. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-535-STOP (7867).
