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Mother of Slain Boy, 14, Blames Herself For Returning to Chicago

By Joe Ward | November 8, 2015 8:39am
 J-Quantae Riles, 14, had only been back in Chicago for a few weeks when he was gunned down in a Gage Park viaduct Saturday.
J-Quantae Riles, 14, had only been back in Chicago for a few weeks when he was gunned down in a Gage Park viaduct Saturday.
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Andrew Holmes

CHICAGO — J-Quantae Riles, 14, had only been back in Chicago for a few weeks when he was gunned down in a Gage Park viaduct Saturday.

He had moved with his pregnant mother and 7-year-old sister to Virginia, but had recently returned to Chicago after things didn't work out for his family on the East Coast, said anti-violence activist Andrew Holmes.

"The mom moved to enhance their quality of life," said Holmes, who had spoken to the family early Sunday. "She didn't want to come back."

Riles was walking with friends to the store in the 2200 block of West 59th Street around 9:30 p.m. Saturday when someone opened fire on the group, said Officer Janel Sedevic, Chicago police spokeswoman.

The boy was shot in his back and was pronounced dead on the scene, Sedevic said. No further information was available. 

Now, a mother and young family is trying to cope with such a loss just as they moved back to their hometown. Holmes said the mother is especially traumatized, as she is blaming herself for coming back to the city and putting her son's life in danger.

"We're praying," Holmes said. "I'm trying to tell her it wasn't her fault."

Police have not arrested anyone in Riles murder and said the investigation is ongoing.

Holmes asked anyone with information on the shooting to call his "Operation Restoring Innocence" hotline at 800-883-5587 (I-800-U TELL US). He said the hotline is anonymous and gets the information to Chicago police.

Riles' shooting death comes days after another 14-year-old was critically wounded on a basketball court at Bessemer Park, across from Bowen High School and Baker College Prep. 

Police charged a 16-year-old boy in the Thursday shooting. 

On Monday, 9-year-old Tyshawn Lee was lured into an alley and murdered, possibly due to his family's gang ties, police said. 

Tyshawn's funeral is scheduled for Tuesday.