HERMOSA — A Northwest Side family is reeling after narrowly escaping a shooting that sent at least three bullets flying through their car over the weekend.
Around 8 p.m. Sunday, Edgar Ramos, his wife and two daughters, ages 8 and 10, were driving home after seeing the animated movie "Sing" in the suburbs. They were traveling northbound on Pulaski Road, singing along to the movie soundtrack, when they saw a car with its hazard lights on at Palmer Street. A man emerged and asked Ramos to help jump-start the car.
As soon as Ramos agreed to pull over, bullets started flying through the family's car, one through the passenger side window, one through the side mirror and one through the hood. According to police, someone from a passing car fired the shots, which narrowly missed Ramos and his family.
One of the bullets went through the side mirror. [All photos DNAinfo/Mina Bloom]
Ramos describes the scene as one of confusion: Simultaneously he tried to figure out what was going on, tried to make sure his family was OK, and tried to determine where the shots were coming from.
"At that moment, it didn't feel like we were being shot at. There was so much adrenaline. I was just frantically trying to make sure my kids and wife were OK," Ramos said.
Ramos said the shooter must've either mistaken him for someone else or missed their target because he has never been affiliated with any gangs. Police didn't immediately say whether or not the shooting was gang-related.
Born and raised on the Northwest Side, Ramos, 32, works out of his Belmont Gardens loft as a designer. He lives with his 32-year-old wife, who works for a therapist. Ramos' two daughters from a previous relationship split time between Ramos' home and their mother's home.
"I was never involved in any gang activity even though it was all around me. I made myself go to college, I made two beautiful daughters and got married last year," he said.
Since the shooting, Ramos said he's been so distraught that he's barely left the house. And his kids have urged him not to do so much as walk the dog for fear of another incident.
"It shook me to my core. I'm trying to hold on to the little bit of faith I have left because of my kids," he said.
Even though no one was hurt, Ramos said he feels guilty over what might have happened. He blames himself for agreeing to help the man in the street, which he said he should've known was a dangerous situation.
"To be honest, it feels like it's all my fault, like I put my family in danger," he said.
The anxiety has gotten so bad that Ramos has considered moving away. But he admits that's not the best option for his family. His daughters are tied to the city. They go to school in Roscoe Village and spend a lot of time with their mother and her family, who also live in the city.
"I think we might have a concrete reason to leave, but at the same time, I won't be able to leave my daughters," he said.
As someone who spends time in nearby Logan Square, Ramos said he hopes his story serves as a cautionary tale for those who might think they're immune to violence.
"People come from out of town and they see Milwaukee Avenue and it's a great place to hang out, but once you stray away from that popular path, it's out of control," he said of Logan Square.
Police said no one is in custody for the shooting.
