Man charged in shooting death of Elgin HS senior before Lil Durk concert in Chicago

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team and Jasmine Minor WLS logo
Monday, February 3, 2025
Teen charged with killing Elgin teen headed to Lil Durk concert
A 19-year-old is charged with murder and armed robbery for the fatal shooting of an Elgin teenager on his way to a Lil Durk concert in Chicago last fall.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A teen has been arrested and charged in the shooting death of a 18-year-old of Elgin, Chicago police said.

The deadly shooting happened just before a Lil Durk concert at the United Center on October 20, 2024.

Jess Kendall, 18, was heading toward the concert with his girlfriend when they were robbed at gunpoint, and Jess suffered a fatal gunshot wound near the 100-block of N. Wolcott Avenue.

Deron Wolfe, 19, was arrested nearly four months after the fatal shooting by Chicago police in Rantoul, Ill. on January 31.

He is charged with murder and armed robbery. At his initial court appearance Monday, a judge ruled he would remain in custody while awaiting trial.

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Prosecutors said Wolfe sent messages on social media asking, "Where's my gun?" just two weeks after the shooting.

Kendall's older brother said the Elgin High School senior was with friends when they were swarmed by four suspects in black masks after they found parking for the concert. Prosecutors say Wolfe and the other suspects were armed at the time.

According to the state, the offenders stole items like a vape pen, phones and money. They said Kendall tried to walk away, which is when one of the suspects pistol whipped him in the back of the head.

They said the gun was dropped and Kendall tried to pick it up when the three other suspects ran to him. Prosecutors say a struggle over the gun ensued before the 18-year-old was shot multiple times.

Wolfe was also struck by gunfire that day. He went to the hospital, where police found a vape pen that belonged to one of the victims in his pocket.

His attorney argued that, with no prior arrests, Wolfe should be released with electronic ankle monitoring. The judge ultimately decided he posed too high of a risk to the community.

He is due back in court on Feb. 19.

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