Crime
16-year-old David Mason Jr killed in West Garfield Park shooting
CHICAGO — Authorities have identified the victim of a fatal shooting in West Garfield Park as 16-year-old David Mason Jr., also known by friends and family as “Lil Dave.”
The shooting occurred on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at approximately 2:30 p.m., when Chicago Police officers responded to reports of a person shot near the intersection of West End Avenue and Keeler Avenue.
Upon arrival, responding officers learned that the victim had already been transported from the scene by a private vehicle.
A short time later, Mount Sinai Hospital notified police that a teenage male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds had been dropped off at the emergency department.
The victim was identified as David Mason Jr., 16. According to medical personnel, Mason sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the head, chest, and arms and was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.
Preliminary information from the Chicago Police Department (CPD) indicates that Mason was standing on or near a sidewalk when he was struck by gunfire from an unknown assailant. Investigators have not yet determined whether the shooter was on foot or in a vehicle.
As of now, no suspects are in custody, and police have not released details regarding a possible motive. Area Four detectives are leading the homicide investigation.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously at CPDTIP.com, or by contacting the Chicago Police Department’s 11th District at (312) 746-8386.
Additionally, tips leading to an arrest may qualify for a reward through Cook County Crime Stoppers by calling (800) 535-STOP (7867).
The investigation remains active.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.