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Teen Luis Castejon Charged With Murder Of Emanuel Gallegos, A Northside College Prep Student

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A 17-year-old has been charged with murder in the shooting death of Northside College Prep student Emanuel Gallegos in the Old Irving Park neighborhood.

The Cook County State's Attorney's office said 17-year-old Luis Castejon has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder. A judge denied Castejon bond Thursday.

He's being held at the juvenile detention center because he is 17.

Luis Castejon
Luis Castejon, 17, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Emanuel Gallegos, a student at Northside College Prep. (Source: Chicago Police)

Police said Castejon turned himself in Wednesday morning at Area North headquarters, hours after police sent out a photo of the gunman who shot and killed 17-year-old Emanuel Gallegos near Kostner and Addison on Monday. The image, apparently a screenshot from a cell phone, showed Castejon holding a handgun in his left hand.

Shooting Suspect
Chicago police released this image of a suspect wanted in the shooting death of Emanuel Gallegos. (Source: Chicago Police)

Castejon allegedly shot at a passing car around 5:35 p.m. Monday, as he was standing with a group of people near Addison and Kostner. Police said the group was shouting gang slogans before Castejon opened fire. The gunfire hit Gallegos in the neck.

Gallegos, a straight-A student at North Side College Prep, was on his way to get a haircut at the time of the shooting. He was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Emanuel Gallegos. 17
Emanuel Gallegos. 17, was shot and killed in the Old Irving Park neighborhood on Feb. 25, 2019. (Photo supplied to CBS)

His father wants to know why and how someone would do this to his son.

"A lot of bad guys take his life. I don't know why they do that," Esteban Gallegos said.

Gallegos' family said he loved to play soccer and basketball, and never caused any problems.

Northside College Prep principal Kelly Mest sent a letter to students and parents, regarding Gallegos' death.

"Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time," she stated. "This loss is sure to raise many emotions, concerns and questions for the entire school, especially our students."

A "GoFundMe" page has been created to help support Gallegos' family. The page has already raised over $30,000.

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