Slain Illinois Highschooler, 17, Was Victim of Bullying, Girlfriend Claims

Johan Adaree-Sanchez was shot shortly after leaving his high school on Thursday, January 8. The 17-year-old tragically died at a nearby hospital that same day. As the investigation into the teen’s death and the search for his killer continues, his girlfriend, Donna Medina, claims the shooting was a result of bullying.

“Right now, I feel heartbroken, and I’m going through something that I thought that I would never have to go through,” Medina, who spoke Spanish and was translated by her cousin, Natalia Lopez, said, per CBS Chicago. “Yesterday, after school, they were just going to take the bus as they usually do, but when they were there at the bus stop, there was that group of kids waiting for him.”

Medina alleged that Adaree-Sanchez ran away, but when she attempted to follow him she heard a gunshot. Lopez explained in her translation that the first shot went “right to his chest,” and when Medina tried to get closer to him, he was shot again in the ankle.

“She tried to give him mouth-to-mouth. She tried to do everything that could save him,” Lopez continued. “When she tried, she already saw that he was pale and that he wasn’t breathing.”

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Following Adaree-Sanchez’s death, his godfather, Julio Luna, described the teen as a “really humble kid” who wanted to join the military one day.

“He wasn’t really into bothering people because he didn’t want that,” Luna shared, according to WGN9. “He was a kid … It’s hard to lose a 17-year-old kid whose life is just barely starting.”

He also implored anyone with information on the possible shooter or shooters to come forward and tell police.

“If you know this person, you could save someone else’s life. Justice needs to be served. We want justice to be served the right way,” he said.

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On Thursday, J. Sterling Morton East High School also released a statement on Facebook confirming they are “actively working with the Cicero Police Department as part of the ongoing investigation” and that a “crisis team” would be available for students and staff members who need support after the horrific incident.

“We are aware that there are many reports circulating on social media that are inaccurate. We ask that everyone please refrain from sharing unverified information at this time and rely only on official updates,” the statement said. “Thank you for your continued support as we work together to care for our school community during this difficult time.”

Earlier this week, a GoFundMe was created to help pay for the teenager’s funeral expenses.

“Johan was just a teenager — a young life full of dreams, hopes, and a future that was violently taken away yesterday, when he was murdered by another adolescent, reportedly involved in gang activity,” the fundraiser summary read. “This was not just an act of violence — it was a failure to protect our youth and to intervene before it was too late.”

The summary continued, “Johan mattered. He was a son. He was a student. He was a young person who wanted to move forward in life. We ask the community to stand with this family during this devastating time. Any donation, no matter how small, is a way to show compassion, support, and solidarity. Let us not remain silent. Let us not normalize this violence. And let us never forget the name Johan Adarve Sanchez.”

The GoFundMe has received just over $11,000 at the time of publication.