Nearly two years after her son was murdered in Little Village, a woman is still searching for answer and closure. Now, others like her are asking for federal help in solving other murders throughout Chicago.
“I sat down and asked God, ‘please, I don’t want another mother to go through the pain I’m going through,’” said Andrade. “This is not something that’s easy to deal with. They destroy you as a Mom. It’s forever. I feel like they tore my heart out,” Andrade added.
On July 18, 2020, Catalina Andrade’s world was turned upside down when her 18-year-old son was shot and killed in Little Village.
Since then, she’s been working alongside the group Mothers and Families United for Justice.
The group is calling on the FBI to intervene to help crack more cases across Chicago. Andrade said she no longer feels anger towards Chicago Police but instead, with State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and others who allow convicted criminals back on the streets.
“Our children are not here but we’re going to be their voice and continue working until we’re heard and we get answers to solve these murders,” Andrade expressed.
Andrade believes there also must be change at the community level.
“We see or we know about murders but we decide it isn’t our problem and we don’t say anything. When you have that mentality, you’re part of the problem,” Andrade said.
“They think they can do whatever they do and they get caught with a gun and then they’re back out on the streets again,” she claimed. “Then this is what happens. They kill my son and so many other victims that have been murdered in the streets,” said Andrade.
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