Glenview Slaying Update: Teen Turns Himself In

GLENVIEW, IL — A 16-year-old boy turned himself in Monday to the Glenview Police Department in connection with the stabbing death of Elias Valdez, 15, earlier this month in Glenview. According to police, the juvenile was charged with second-degree murder.

He was processed at around 9 a.m. and transported to the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center in Chicago to await a hearing. The Cook County State's Attorney's Office told Patch that the juvenile appeared in court Tuesday in Skokie. He was placed on electronic monitoring, and his next court date is scheduled for Sept. 9.

On Aug. 5, police responded to the 1200 block of Greenwood Road for an ambulance assist for a person down. Valdez, who was a rising sophomore at Glenbrook South High School, was found lying in a grassy area with a puncture wound to the chest. The unincorporated Glenview resident was transported to Lutheran General Hospital, where he later died in surgery.

The homicide was the first in Glenview since 2004, according to police.

The Glenview Police Department was assisted in the investigation by the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force.

Funeral services for Valdez were held Friday at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home in Palatine.

"Elias was like a brother to me. He was one of the only kids who stood up for me when I was getting bullied," classmate Matt Claffey told Patch. "May his soul be at rest. He will always be part of us in our thoughts and in our hearts. He was a kind-hearted soul I am glad he was my friend."

A GoFundMe campaign was set up to help the family pay for funeral expenses. As of Tuesday, 689 donors had raised $29,621. GoFundMe is a Patch partner. Contributions can be made here.

Related:
Boy, 15, Stabbed To Death In Glenview