Thread: Candidate's Son Killed in East Chgo Shooting

Candidate's son killed in E.C. shooting
Tuesday, May 8, 2007 12:41 AM CDT
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BY DAN HINKEL
dhinkel@nwitimes.com
219.933.4183

EAST CHICAGO | The 7-year-old son of an East Chicago City Council candidate was fatally shot Monday afternoon.

Family members said the boy was sitting in a car with his father, Michael Silvas Jr., when the boy was shot about 4:30 p.m. near 144th Street and Tod Avenue in East Chicago.

Michael Silvas Jr. is running as a Democrat in today's race for the District 1 council seat.

Angel Silvas was pronounced dead at 6:48 p.m. Monday at St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago, according to a spokesman from the Lake County coroner's office. The boy died of a gunshot wound to the head, and his death is being investigated as a homicide, the spokesman said.

As of 9:45 p.m. Monday, the shooting had not changed plans for today's election, said Damian Rico, spokesman for East Chicago Mayor George Pabey. Rico said police would offer no information Monday night.

"It is unfortunate that people are making this a political issue, but in the best interests of those involved, it's under investigation, and we're not going to release any more information until the police chief issues a thorough report," Rico said.

Rico confirmed something happened at 144th and Tod on Monday but gave no details. He said police had arrested someone but did not elaborate.

Olga Silvas, grandmother of Michael Silvas Jr., said he was taken into custody at St. Catherine Hospital after he lost control over the boy's death. As of 10 p.m. Monday, he was still in police custody, she said. Michael Silvas Jr. is 24, she said.

Michael Silvas Jr. and his father, Michael Silvas Sr., were taking Angel to a park when the boy was shot inside a car in front of the home shared by both men in the 500 block of 144th Street, said Olga Silvas, who also lives in the house.

Angel Silvas' address was listed as 4325 Magoun Ave., East Chicago, said the coroner's office spokesman.

The men sped to the hospital after the shooting, Olga Silvas said, and were not hurt in the shooting.

Family and friends stood in the yard of the Silvas home Monday night. A man who identified himself as Michael Silvas Jr.'s brother said the family would continue to campaign for him today.


http://www.nwitimes.com/articles/2007/0 ... 160e4c.txt

Of course I feel sorry for the family, but that is what happens when our politicians don't feel the need to clean up our streets. Sometimes their own pay the price.