Johan Adaree-Sanchez was 17 when he was fatally shot in Cicero, Illinois, on the afternoon of January 8, 2026. A Morton East High School student who had come to the U.S. from Colombia four years earlier, he was shot in the chest a few blocks from the school in the 2100 block of 59th Avenue shortly after dismissal at about 3:20 p.m. He later died at a local hospital.

The shooting followed a large fight between two rival groups of teenagers. According to his girlfriend, who was at the scene, Johan had been targeted by bullying. A group reportedly waited for him at a bus stop; he ran and was chased. His cousin, who tried to intervene, was struck with the butt of a gun. A shot then struck Johan in the chest and a second shot hit his ankle as his girlfriend rushed to him.

Authorities say the alleged shooter, a 17-year-old who was not a Morton East student, fled to New York and discarded the firearm in a nearby yard where it was later recovered. The suspect was taken into custody in New York after being traced on an Amtrak ticket and is awaiting extradition to Illinois to face charges of first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm. A $5,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Did anyone see Johan that afternoon or have information about the groups involved?