1 fatally shot, 1 wounded outside popular Pilsen restaurant

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A man was killed and another wounded in a drive-by shooting outside a popular restaurant in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood.

Jesus Juarez, 43, and a 35-year-old man were standing in front of the Express Grill near South Halsted and West 18th streets around 11:40 p.m. Tuesday.

Police said that's when a male suspect fired shots from inside a silver SUV. The vehicle took off after the shooting, heading north on Halsted.

Juarez, of the 5400-block of South Luna Avenue, was shot in the chest and pronounced dead at the scene at 12 a.m. Wednesday, the Cook County medical examiner's office said. His body was seen lying on the street, covered by a white sheet, for some time after the shooting.

The younger man was shot in the left knee, police said. He was transported to Stroger Hospital, where his condition stabilized.

Juarez's family said they do not believe he was the intended target. They said he was a good dad, a lifelong fan of the Chicago White Sox and loved motorcycles. He had recently become president of the Legion of Honor motorcycle club.

"He loved the people in it with him and loved riding with his friends," said Abner Garcia, Juarrez;s nephew.

Latoya Thomas, who works at the Express Grill, showed ABC7 Eyewitness News where bullets riddled the restaurant. She said the 24-hour grill is a popular stop after a night out. She also said the victims and shooters may have gotten into an earlier altercation at a nearby bar.

"It escalated from a bar down here on 18th street, came down this way," Thomas said.

But Juarez's family said he was never one to start a fight. They want whoever is responsible to come forward.

"I want to say this person should come for our peace of mind. I don't think they will, but think about it," said Elizabeth Juarez, the victim's sister.

Thomas said she has worked at the Polish sausage stand for two years. Until Tuesday night, she felt safe. People who live in this part of Pilsen are also on edge.

"It's scary as hell. I wanted to come out right away to see if we could help. I just figured with six shots, you probably hit the person," one neighbor said.

"This is not something that normally happens in this area. I go to that restaurant right outside there all the time. This is where I walk my dogs. It's pretty surprising to see this actually happen," said Frank, a neighbor who did not want to give his last name.

Investigators are looking into what motivated this shooting. Police did not release a description the suspect. No one is in custody.