Plainfield man dies after Aurora shooting

AURORA (WLS) -- A 23-year-old Plainfield man who played football at Aurora University and hoped to pursue a career in journalism has died after being shot Saturday in Aurora, police said.

Derrick DiJon Page was pronounced dead at 9:41 a.m. Sunday at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, officials said. He was just days from his 24th birthday, his family said.

"I'm empty right now because I love him so much and I'm torn, I'm torn apart," said his father Derrick Page.

Page was shot at about 12:45 a.m. Saturday near Lake Street and Illinois Avenue in Aurora. Police said he had attended a large party that was being held in a rental hall in the 600-block of North Lake Street. A disturbance erupted inside the hall, causing attendees to run out of the building toward Illinois Avenue and across Lake Street. A fight started on the east side of Lake and at least one shot was fired.

A bullet hit Page in the back of his head, Aurora police said. No suspects are in custody.

Page's family said he was trying to help a friend get away from the scene when he was shot. They describe the young man as a peacemaker, who advocated against violence.

The Page family had moved to the suburbs to keep the children, including young Derrick, away from the violence in Chicago.

"He wanted everyone to put these guns down. He was big on that," the elder Page said.

Derrick DiJon Page's aunt, Robyn Page, added: "He wanted the violence to stop. He wanted people to love another, to stop all this hatred."

Derrick DiJon Page grew up in suburban Willowbrook and played football at Hinsdale South High School. Most recently he was working on an album under the name "Page" but at home he was DJ or little D Rose.

Anyone with information is asked to call Aurora Police Investigators at 630-256-5500 or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at (630) 892-1000.

Callers to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and qualify for a $5,000 reward for information that leads to any arrests.