17-year-old shot to death on South Side

September 27, 2012 (CHICAGO)

It happened near 40th and Lake Park Avenue in the city's Oakland neighborhood.

Police say 17-year-old DeJuan Jackson was walking with his friends when he was shot.

Jackson died at Stroger Hospital.

Jackson was a student at the Sullivan House Alternative High School. Investigators say he has no gang ties.

Relatives say Jackson was walking to his grandmother's house around 7 p.m. Wednesday night when someone in a car drove up and opened fire. The teenager was struck several times, and at least once in the head.

DeJuan's family said they don't believe he could be the intended target. His friends agree with that and say they do not know who in the group would have been targeted.

Police say Jackson had no criminal record and was not in a gang.

Jackson's family is struggling to accept his death, saying he was just a good kid, trying to do good things.

"He did not bother nobody. No criminal background," said mother Dorie Jackson.

"He was going to graduate in June and go to college," said Dorian Jackson, DeJuan's sister. "You don't hear kids talking about college nowadays. And I did not get to tell him I love him, or nothing, but I love you, DeJuan."

Investigators say they are still working the case, but they have made no arrests and have no one in custody. They say school officials will try to offer some direction, security, and comfort to classmates affected by this tragedy.

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