A 17-year-old boy was fatally shot while driving his sick classmate home from football practice

CHICAGO (WLS) — A 17-year-old high school football player who was on the cusp of becoming captain of his team has died after being shot in the shoulder while driving a teammate home after practice.

Juan Salgado, 17, was a week away from starting his senior year at Chicago’s Juarez Community Academy and becoming captain of the school’s football team before he was shot and killed, his family says.

Loved ones of Juan Salgado gathered Friday outside Orozco Community Academy, where the 17-year-old’s love of soccer began in elementary school.

The teen went to football practice Monday at Harrison Park, but his family says he left to drive a friend and teammate, who showed up to practice sick, to his home in the Little Village neighborhood.

“He knew his friend wasn’t feeling well enough to go home, and even though he knew he shouldn’t go there, he did it because he felt it was the right thing to do for his friend,” said the teen’s uncle, Sebastian Salgado.

Police say Juan Salgado was driving through the neighborhood around 5 p.m. when a truck pulled up and someone inside started shooting. The 17-year-old was shot in the left shoulder and was initially taken to the hospital in good condition. But things later took a turn for the worse.

The teenager died exactly one week into his senior year of high school and before becoming captain of the football team, a team he had played on since his sophomore year.

His coach, Julián Gómez, will have to start school on Monday without his star player.

“He showed that leadership. He showed that character that we needed as a captain, and it’s very unfortunate that we can no longer see him on the field as captain of the team,” Gomez said.

Juan Salgado’s family says he used to play for the Chicago Fire Youth Soccer Club and won about 40 sports medals in his short life. A GoFundMe campaign set up to help pay for the teenager’s funeral has raised nearly $20,000.

On GoFundMe, the 17-year-old is remembered as “the best son, brother and friend anyone could ask for.”

“He was deeply family-oriented and cherished every moment he spent with his loved ones,” the fundraising site reads. “His caring and compassionate nature was evident to all who had the privilege of knowing him. His presence brought warmth and joy to all who crossed his path.”

Police say no one is in custody in connection with the teen’s killing.

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