Crime & Safety
Wal-Mart Shooting Victim Almost Suffocated On His Own Blood At The Scene: Prosecutors
The 19-year-old Chicago man needed an emergency tracheotomy to save his life after last week's shooting.
PALATINE, IL — The 19-year-old Chicago man who was found bleeding from a gunshot wound to the face last week in a Wal-Mart parking lot needed an emergency tracheotomy to stop him from suffocating on his own blood at the scene, the Daily Herald reports.
More details surrounding the Feb. 7 shooting were revealed during the bail hearing Wednesday, Feb. 15. for Giovanny Unzueta, the 17-year-old Palatine boy accused of opening fire on the victim. Unzueta was charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery, and a judge denied his request for bail. His next court date is March 3.
According to prosecutors, the victim was in Palatine to help his cousin move and was smoking in the Wal-Mart parking lot, 1555 N. Rand Road, as he waited for his relative, who was in the store shopping, the report stated. Thinking the victim was someone else, Unzueta, who police claim is a gang member, fired at and hit the 19-year-old, who has no gang ties, from a car while shouting gang slurs, the report added.
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RELATED: Shooting Victim Found at Palatine Wal-Mart When Police Investigate Gunfire Report
Although he was conscious at the scene, the gunshot wound severed an artery in the victim's mouth, and emergency crews performed an emergency tracheotomy to prevent him from choking to death on his own blood, the report stated. The victim was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital where surgery was performed.
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Because of bone and bullet fragments that doctors couldn't remove from the his jaw during surgery, a metal plate was inserted in the victim's face, the report stated. The victim has since been released from the hospital, according to Palatine police.
RELATED: Teen Gang Member Fired On Gang Member Over Mistaken Identity: Cops
Despite the charges against Unzueta, police are still investigating the case to determine if additional people will be arrested and charged. Anyone with additional information should call the police at 847-359-9000 or Palatine-Inverness Crime Stoppers at 847-590-7867.
photo via Shutterstock
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