Two teens shot, one killed near park renamed after Hadiya Pendleton

Two teen boys were shot and one was killed Friday evening at Hadiya Pendleton Park in the city's Bronzeville neighborhood, police said.

Officials said a 17-year-old and 19-year-old were shot in the park, currently called Buckthorn Park, located near East 44th Street and South Calumet Avenue.

The 17-year-old male was shot in the back and taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead. The 19-year-old male was shot in the foot and is in fair condition.

The Cook County Medical Examiner identified the 17-year-old as Vonzell Banks.

Nearby residents said they were not surprised by the shooting.

"It's messed up," said Keith Ivory. "I got to be at work about five or six o'clock in the morning, and I have to watch my back even that early in the morning. It's that rough."

Ivory makes sure to lock his gate. He says gangs and drugs area constant problem in the neighborhood. But the violence is not just in Bronzeville; the holiday weekend is off to a rough violent start around the city. Before this shooting, ten people were shot, four fatally, across Chicago in the last 24 hours.

At a vigil Friday night, friends and relatives released balloons and prayed for Robert Cotton, who was killed on July 3, 2014. A suspect in that shooting is in custody awaiting trial.

"It's a long road ahead with trial," said Andrea Cotton, Robert's widow. "And I'm praying that everything goes well."