CHICAGO (WLS) — A 16-year-old boy who was shot and killed Friday night in Auburn-Gresham was the grandson of a prominent community activist, according to the family.
His grandfather said he was now making the same plea he had made for other victims, calling on the public to hand over the killer.
Relatives of Ra-Shaun Hood said he was small in stature but had a big heart
An honor student, Hood is fast on the basketball court when he laughs.
“Smart, sweet, funny, make laugh, straight to the point. He likes to joke,” said his grandfather Rev. Robin Hood.
Reverend Hood is a longtime West Side pastor and activist.
“It's heartbreaking. We always felt like our children had to bury us,” Hood said.
At around 10:15 a.m. Friday, Ra-Shaun was shot in the chest and killed near 81st and Racine. Police said they found him on the sidewalk.
He was taken to Comer Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Reverend Hood says that the family is not aware of the problem and is not aware of anyone wanting to harm Ra-Shaun.
“We don't know where it's going, Hood said. “We don't know, you know, have they ever asked anyone out?”
For 25 years, Hood has struggled to reduce violence and has witnessed tragedy after tragedy.
But he said his grandson's death was profound.
“The good thing about this is that you still have pain,” says Hood. “The bad thing is when you stop feeling pain because then you get sucked into this outbreak of violence.”
Police say no one has been arrested in Ra-Shaun's murder. Hood said there were businesses in the area where he was shot, and he hoped video surveillance would provide a lead.
“We have to tell the killers. We have to tell. You can't let a killer walk between us,” Hood pleaded.