A man from Chicago Heights, aged 50, has been apprehended and charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder following a stabbing incident involving two teenage brothers. The unfortunate event occurred on Monday afternoon at Harold Park, where the brothers were spending time enjoying the pleasant weather.
Chicago Heights police reported that they responded to a disturbance call near 15th and Hanover streets around 3:50 p.m. Upon reaching the scene, they found two teenage boys suffering from stab wounds. The mother of the boys revealed that her sons, along with their sister, were at the playground when the suspect, Oronde Hardy, approached them and began acting strangely and aggressively.
In an attempt to defend themselves, the brothers confronted Hardy and asked him to leave them alone. However, this confrontation escalated into a heated argument, which ended with Hardy stabbing both boys. The younger brother, 13-year-old David Sanchez, was rushed to Comer Children’s Hospital, where he tragically passed away from his injuries on Tuesday. His 14-year-old brother was treated at Stroger Hospital and has since been discharged.
Hardy managed to escape from the scene of the crime, but was later located and arrested by law enforcement on Wednesday. He is currently being held in custody at Cook County Jail.
In response to this tragic event, the Sanchez family has started a GoFundMe page to raise funds for David Sanchez’s funeral expenses. The funeral is set to take place on March 7.
This distressing incident serves as a grim reminder of the potential dangers that can occur even in public spaces considered safe. As the community grieves the loss of a young life, law enforcement is committed to ensuring justice for the victims.