Bowens died at John Stroger Junior Hospital of Cook County on Tuesday afternoon. A spokesman for the medical examiner said the teenager was battered.
Bowens parents said he was involved in a dispute with some neighborhood teens over the summer.
"Shaun was little teddy bear. He was just 17 so he was just beginning his lfie," said Theresa Bowens, Shaun's mother.
Theresa Bowens said on Sunday Shaun was with his friends when they ran into another group and an altercation broke out. Bowens was kicked and struck with bricks in the head in the 7500-block of South Michigan Avenue.
"They hit him upside the head with a brick. I don't know if he hit the ground, but I guess he did because, once he did, they kept kicking him," said Theresa Bowens.
"Life is precious. Nowadays they don't think anything is going to happen," said Robert Bowens, Shaun's father.
According to his parents, Bowens, a sophomore at Gage Park High School, was not affiliated with any gangs.
"He was a cool person. He was on the football team," said Steven Davis, Gage Park student.
Crisis counselors were at Gage Park High School talking to students and staff about Bowens' death.
A death investigation is underway.
