The Chicago City Council Latino Caucus on the Shooting Death of Eight-Year-Old Melissa Ortega from Little Village
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2022
CHICAGO - Eight-year-old Melissa Ortega was tragically shot and killed while walking down the street with her mother this past weekend. Once again, we have lost a child who will not have a chance to reach her full potential. The shooting death of Melissa Ortega is a tragedy by all measures. Our deepest condolences and love go out to her mother and the Ortega family as they mourn the death of their daughter, a third grader at Zapata Elementary School. Last year, her family brought her to Chicago from Mexico to give her a future and keep her safe only to be shot dead in broad daylight.
Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon story. We hear the same struggles, aspirations, and tribulations Chicago immigrant families often face.
Children deserve to feel safe and live in communities that support their health and emotional well-being. The City of Chicago must make intentional investments in communities like La Villita and deeply examine the distribution of resources for families so that Brown and Black children have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential.
Guns and gangs are terrorizing our Chicago neighborhoods. We must work everyday for peace and safety. All residents of Chicago should feel safe in their communities. We must also invest in evidence-based public safety resources and strategies available to heal and protect our communities.
As the Chicago City Council Latino Caucus, we believe it is incumbent on all elected officials to use their power and influence to contribute to the well-being of the communities. The violence afflicting Chicago is on the same scale as a public health crisis and demands a commensurate response. The dangers presented by gang and gun violence threaten the lives of our children, our communities, and the very fabric of our society. We demand immediate and positive action to address this rampant problem in the City of Chicago.
