North Austin, Illinois — The North Austin neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side is reeling after 17‑year‑old high school senior Melissa Castrejon was fatally shot late Sunday night. Her family and friends described her as a lively teen with big dreams, now taken too soon in a tragedy that has left the community searching for answers.
Police say the shooting happened around 9:38 p.m. on January 18 in the 1800 block of North Latrobe Avenue, a normally quiet stretch of street. Melissa was sitting in a car with friends and family when a man known to her opened fire, striking her in the back. Emergency crews rushed her to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
Detectives are treating the case as a homicide and are actively investigating. So far, no arrests have been made. Chicago police are reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses and urging anyone with information to come forward. Officials have not said whether they believe Melissa was specifically targeted, or if the shooting was a tragic act of random violence.
Those who knew Melissa are left heartbroken. Her family says she was a senior at Aspira Antonia Pantoja High School with plans to build a future full of promise — she dreamed of opening her own nail salon and was known for her warm smile and determination in school and life.
Her mother described the moment she got the call no parent should ever have to hear. “We’re just in shock,” she said, struggling with the reality that her youngest daughter — her “princess” — is gone. Her older brother flew in from out of state to support the family, saying the loss “doesn’t feel real yet.”
Community members have taken to social media to mourn Melissa’s death, sharing memories and calling for justice. Messages poured in with tributes and calls to address the ongoing issue of gun violence in neighborhoods like North Austin, where too many families have felt this same pain.
For now, Melissa’s friends, classmates and loved ones are holding onto memories of who she was — a bright, hopeful young woman whose life ended far too soon. Chicago police say they will release more information as the investigation continues, urging anyone with tips to step forward and help bring clarity to this heartbreaking case.
