Like many teenagers, Deshun Winfert, 15, had big dreams of stardom, either as a Hollywood actor or a basketball star like his idol, the
‘ Derrick Rose.
Winfert, a freshman at Rose’s alma mater, Simeon Career Academy, died Monday at a suburban hospital, one day after he and his father were shot while sitting in the father’s car at a Southwest Side intersection, Chicago police said.
“They took my baby for no reason,” Winfert’s mother, Khiyona, said.
Deshun had spent Sunday morning with his father, who was giving the teen a ride home when they were both shot and wounded in the chest as their car sat at a stop sign in the 2800 block of West 66th Street in the Marquette Park neighborhood, according to police and Winfert’s mother.
When Deshun’s father stopped at 66th and Mozart Street around 11:45 a.m. Sunday, a silver-colored SUV pulled up next to them on the one-way street, and a passenger in that vehicle opened fire, police said.
“They were leaving from the house when somebody in a truck pulled up and shot them,” Khiyona Winfert said, repeating the only details she has been told since the shooting.
Deshun’s father was able to get away by turning south on Mozart, while the SUV fled east on 66th, police said.
The father ultimately drove to 63rd Street and Kedzie Avenue, where he sought help. Both victims were taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where Deshun was pronounced dead Monday night, authorities said. His father was reported in stable condition as of Monday.
Police didn’t offer a motive for the shooting, saying neither victim had a substantial criminal background or a gang affiliation.
Khiyona Winfert said her son’s father had only recently moved into the gang-plagued neighborhood, adding that her son hadn’t gotten the chance to meet anyone there.
“He didn’t know anyone around there,” she said.
Winfert described her son as a ball of energy who spent hours on the basketball court like his idol Rose.
While many teens fantasize about fame and fortune, Winfert had already taken steps toward his career goals, setting up his own athlete fan page on Facebook and posting his own profile on an online talent agency.
Despite an active schedule, Winfert, who lived with a grandparent in the South Shore neighborhood, spent his free time with his parents.
“He was larger than life, and everyone loved my child,” Khiyona Winfert said.
The grieving mother said her only concern was justice for her son.
“I don’t know what to feel. I’m not angry,” she said. “I just want someone to do something about it. Find out about it and do something.”
No arrests had been made as of Tuesday evening.
Twitter: @MidNoirCowboy
