A 15-year-old boy is accused of murdering a Hyde Park Academy High School student after the victim left school earlier this year, in an incident that purportedly began over a vape.
Police did not identify the boy since he is a juvenile. And because he is under 16, his case may remain in the juvenile justice system, where facts about the process and outcome may be kept from public access.
What we do know is that witnesses told police that around 3:30 p.m. on April 15, 16-year-old Eric Billups was standing at a bus stop at 63rd Street and Stony Island Avenue, on his way home from class, when a gunman in school uniform approached, pulled a gun from a book bag, and began shooting.
Billups did not survive. Another bullet hit his 16-year-old girlfriend in the leg. She was initially labeled in fair condition but recovered.
A Chicago police report issued shortly after the shooting stated that investigators discovered Billups and a prime suspect had planned to fight later that day, with online conversation indicating they had clashed over a vaporizer. Instead, the other boy unexpectedly faced Billups at the bus stop, firing around 12 bullets before fleeing. According to the article, multiple students and staff members recognized the gunman to authorities.
The 15-year-old has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and many offenses.
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