Mourners had a clear message Thursday morning as they conducted a peace walk for slain Tilden High School honor student Pedro Ramirez: His life mattered, and he deserves justice. <\/p>\n
Over 40 Tilden students, staff, violence prevention activists and family members walked from the high school at 4747 S. Union Ave. to Pedro\u2019s vigil on 51st and Throop streets in the Back of the Yards. They chanted phrases like \u201chis life matters, all lives matter\u201d and \u201cpledge peace for Pedro.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eloisa Garcia, who considered herself Pedro\u2019s \u201csecond mother,\u201d called the outpouring of support \u201coverwhelming.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cHe made an impact. We didn\u2019t know how big it was, but now we see it,\u201d Garcia said as Ramirez\u2019s peers held balloons, flowers and posters of him near his vigil. <\/p>\n
Garcia also asked for justice and called on elected officials to push harder for an arrest in Pedro\u2019s case. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe was just walking to school. No family should have to wonder if my kid is going to make it home today from school,\u201d Garcia said. <\/p>\n
Community members, students, and teachers at Tilden High School gather during a rally for Pedro Ramirez on Thursday.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/p>\n Arthur Maiorella\/For the Sun-Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Pedro was walking to school around 7:40 a.m. May 26 in the 5000 block of South Throop Street<\/a> when four masked assailants jumped out of a Jeep and fired toward a red minivan, according to Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner\u2019s office. <\/p>\n The 17-year-old was struck by stray gunfire and died less than an hour later, authorities said. A person who was taken into custody after the fatal shooting was released without charges.<\/p>\n Some classmates wore Tilden volleyball and soccer gear to commemorate Pedro\u2019s involvement on the teams. Others wore white shirts bearing his picture as mourners shared stories about Pedro\u2019s impact. <\/p>\n \u201cHe was the type of friend who would listen when you needed someone, who would support you when you were struggling, and who can make you laugh even on your worst day,\u201d said 18-year-old Samanta Hernandez, the lead organizer of the peace walk. \u201cI am grateful for all the videos, pictures, and moments we share throughout high school, because they allow me to keep a piece of you with me every day.<\/p>\n \u201cI promise to keep sharing your story, and I know there are so many people here today who will do the same,\u201d Hernandez said. <\/p>\n Allen Serrano weeps while Cesar Valera and Bruce Inga comfort him at a vigil Thursday for their soccer teammate, Pedro Ramirez, who was killed while walking to school in Back of the Yards last week.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/p>\n Arthur Maiorella\/For the Sun-Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Pedro\u2019s influence at Tilden went beyond his peers. He also left his mark on his teachers and coaches. <\/p>\n \u201cHe had fun. He was kind. He was courageous. He was a leader; he was everything you would want from a son,\u201d said Carlos Delcid, one of Pedro\u2019s teachers and volleyball coaches. \u201cIf my son grows up to be just like him, I will be the happiest, proudest father there could be.\u201d<\/p>\n Crystle Saylor, another teacher and volleyball coach who taught Pedro, said his death has deeply affected the Back of the Yards community.<\/p>\n \u201cAt some point we have to stop pretending this is normal. Chicago is hurting, our communities are hurting, our children are carrying grief too far young and far too often,\u201d Saylor said. Pedro \u201cshould be planning for his future, walking the halls of Tilden with that same energy that made everyone gravitate toward him.<\/p>\n \u201cInstead, another family buried a son, and another group of teenagers is learning what it means to lose someone too soon.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Allen](\"https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/32b74a0\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7043x4698+0+0\/resize\/840x560!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F70%2F84%2F8c3a39544d08b29569e055bbebce%2Fpeacewalktilden-260605-019.jpg\")
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