Driver killed in weekend ‘road takeover’ may not have been involved, councilor says

Christine Flores and BJ Lutz

8 hours ago

CHICAGO – It remained unclear Tuesday whether a 20-year-old West Englewood man who died in a weekend “street takeover” event was participating or just driving through the intersection, a city councilman said.

Guillermo Caballero Jr., known to family and friends as Memo Jr., was struck by gunfire through his windshield just before 3:20 a.m. Sunday during a “street takeover” at 59th Street and Western Avenue in the southwest part of the city were fired. Authorities said Caballero was pronounced dead at the scene.

The young man, who worked at Foot Locker, was said to have loved sports and karaoke. He was the oldest of three siblings and hoped to one day turn his passion for sales into a career.

Video posted on X and shared by news organization CWB Chicago, includes a volley of gunfire erupting at the crowded intersection.

The neighborhood’s city councilman, Ray Lopez, said authorities were unable to confirm Caballero’s involvement.

“Road takeovers remain a danger to all communities,” Lopez said in a statement to WGN. “CPD is working diligently to gather as much information as possible about the circumstances surrounding this murder. If you have any information, please contact the police or my office. I hope Mayor Johnson will make combating these illegal events a priority of his public safety plan for the summer.”

As it rained Tuesday afternoon, Caballero’s father went to the intersection and knelt on his son’s work shirt to pray. He said it was the first time since his son’s murder that he had the courage to visit the crime scene.

He said he wants more people to recognize the impact of gun violence in the city.

“The only thing I care about is that people raise awareness,” he said in Spanish.

A GoFundMe account set up to help Caballero’s family had nearly reached its $1,000 goal as of Tuesday afternoon.

No arrests were made in this case and police were unable to provide any further information.