Gage Park mass murder
| Gage Park mass murder | |
|---|---|
| Location | Gage Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 41°47′23″N 87°41′38″W / 41.7898°N 87.694°W |
| Date |
Sometime between February 2 and 4, 2016 7:00 p.m. to 1:05 p.m. (CST) |
Attack type | Mass murder, stabbing, shooting |
| Weapons | Firearm, 3 knives |
| Deaths | 6 |
| Perpetrator | Unknown |
On February 4, 2016, the bodies of two men, two women and two boys were discovered in a house on the 5700 block of South California avenue in Gage Park, Chicago, Illinois.[1][2][3] Five were stabbed to death and one was shot.
Discovery of the bodies and investigation
Police were called to the home to perform a well-being check after a co-worker of one of the victims expressed concern because the victim hadn't come to work since February 2. The bodies were discovered at around 1:05 p.m. on February 4.[2] Police have identified the victims as Noe and Rosa Martinez, their son Noe Jr., their daughter Maria, and Maria's two sons Leonardo and Alexi.[4] No one from the family had been seen since February 2.[3] Police initially stated that the events may have been a murder-suicide but have since ruled that all the deaths were homicides. Five of the victims were stabbed while the other one was shot.[5]
3 different bladed weapons, believed to be knives, as well as a firearm were used to commit the murders. However, none of the murder weapons were found though a rifle was discovered in the house.[6]
Police have not publicly named any suspects.[5] However, they do not believe that the killing was random and believe that the family was specifically targeted, saying the murders may be linked to a drug cartel.[7]
The family dog, Pelusa (Spanish for "fuzzy"), was found alive inside the house covered in blood and visibly shaken. The dog is currently being cared for by neighbors.[8]
Victims
- Noe Martinez Sr., 62[7]
- Rosaura Martinez, 58, wife of Noe Martinez
- Noe Martinez Jr., 38, son of Noe and Rosaura Martinez
- Maria Herminia Martinez, 32, daughter of Noe and Rosaura Martinez
- Leonardo "Leo" Cruz, 13, son of Maria Martinez
- Alexis "Alexi" Cruz, 10, son of Maria Martinez
All of the victims will be buried in Mexico. The Mexican Consulate of Chicago is assisting in moving the bodies to Mexico.[6]
References
- ↑ Goudie, Chuck. "SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS IN GAGE PARK: WHAT HAPPENED ON CALIFORNIA AVE?". abc7chicago.com. ABC. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
- 1 2 Nickeas, Peter. "Five adults, 1 child found slain in Gage Park home". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
- 1 2 Main, Frank. "5 adults, 1 child found slain in Gage Park home". suntimes.com. Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
- ↑ "6 FOUND DEAD IN GAGE PARK". ABC.
- 1 2 Chachkevitch, Alexandra. "Deaths of all six victims in Gage Park ruled homicides by medical examiner". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
- 1 2 Relerford, Michelle. "3 Bladed Weapons, Gun Used in Gage Park Family Massacre". nbcchicago.com. NBC. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
- 1 2 Bob, Roberts. "Investigators Believe Murdered Gage Park Family Was Targeted". chicago.cbslocal.com. CBS.
- ↑ Williams-Harris, Deanese. "Family's dog Pelusa seems 'petrified' after Gage Park slayings". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 7, 2016.