The family of a 9-year-old boy who was struck and killed while crossing the street outside of a Chicago elementary school Thursday morning is calling for murder charges against the driver, who police say was released without charges.
The boy was identified by authorities and his family as 9-year-old Anakin Perez, who lived nearby to where the driver struck him.
“It’s a heartbreaking moment for all of us,” his aunt said at a press conference Tuesday next to where a memorial is growing for Perez. “He was very loved. He loved everyone, he was a kid full of joy.”
While Perez’s aunt spoke, his parents shared an embrace beside her as his mother cried into his father’s arms.
The incident happened around 7:41 a.m. in the 4800 block of West Walton, where a woman driving a light-colored Chevy sedan westbound on Walton struck 9-year-old Perez on the street. The boy was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.
Police initially said the driver, who has not been identified, was taken into custody and was facing charges.
However, police later said the driver was released without charges.
“As a family all we can try to do is see if we can get justice for him, because he deserves that,” his aunt said. “He was worth more than just a ticket, or two, or three.”
Perez’s family said the driver received citations, though police did not immediately confirm that information. Police say the investigation remains ongoing.
“Her getting charged for first-degree murder, that is justice for us. He deserves that justice,” his aunt said.
The crash happened near the Ronald McNair Elementary School, and parents at the school told NBC Chicago they have been requesting crossing guards and that dangerous driving is repeatedly seen in the area.
“I see a lot of people not listening to traffic, going against traffic, all the time,” said Ardani Granillo, who lives near where Perez was struck and killed. “I have three vehicles, all three of them got hit here.”
On security footage obtained by NBC Chicago, Perez is seen leaving a house and crossing the street toward the school when he was struck by the driver. After Perez is struck, one of his siblings can be seen running back to the house for help as witnesses run toward the scene.
“The footage that’s out there of him being hit, it’s unexplainable to me how she did not see him,” the aunt said. “How do you live with yourself? That you did him so wrong.”
According to the medical examiner’s office, Perez lived on the 4900 block of West Iowa Street, just around the corner from the school.
Perez was described by his aunt as “a great kid” who “loved to play football.”
“That was his passion,” his aunt said. “If we didn’t catch him playing, he was really upset about it.”
At the memorial growing near where Perez was killed, footballs, balloons, candles were left to honor his life.
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