Driver killed in Irving Park shooting, crash, identified as Jose Barajas, family says

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A man died after a shooting and crash in the Irving Park neighborhood on the North Side Thursday morning, Chicago police said.

The 21-year-old victim was driving in the 4300-block of West Montrose Avenue at about 3:38 a.m. when a white Jeep began to follow him, police said.

Someone inside the Jeep fired shots at the victim, hitting him in the back of the head, police said. The victim then crashed into multiple vehicles and hit a tree in the 3900-block of North Whipple Street.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The victim's brother identified him as Jose Barajas.

A woman who doesn't want to be identified heard the shots and took cover inside her home.

"I first thought it was fireworks, and then I got closer and I was like I just ducked down tried to be curled up you know," she said.

Bullet holes could be seen in the windshield and the rubber on the tires were shredded.

"I heard just a crash like the screeching of the tires and it kept going and all you see was a bunch of smoke and that's where we ended up calling 911 the ambulance the fires because we thought the car was going to go ablaze," the witness said.

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A total of four parked cars were hit by the victim's SUV including the neighbor's red pick-up truck.

"I'm just happy that nobody was in the car and materials are always replaceable but life is never," she said.

Neighbors said there were passengers inside the victim's SUV who were not hurt. Although the community understands crime can happen anywhere, this one hit too close to home.

"It's just such a tragedy and I just wish there was more we could do to prevent things like this from happening," neighbor Jacqui Russell said.

The motive behind the shooting remains unclear.

No one is in custody and Area Five detectives are investigating.

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