Remembering Juan Salgado: A Life Cut Short, A Legacy of Leadership and Love

Today would have been Juan Salgado’s first day of his senior year. But also he would have become the captain of the school’s soccer team, playing on this very field with the varsity team since his sophomore year. That also going to an end one week ago today. His family, loved ones, and teammates gathering just a short time ago in prayer. Help us right now. Help us to be lifted up by your love, your life, your inspiration. Take his life. And that visual beginning just a short time ago near the soccer field here at Warren Community Academy, where the teenager attended. The 17 year old was shot one week ago today, shortly after leaving soccer practice at Harrison Park. His family tells me he was driving a teammate home in Little Village after that friend showed up to practice sick. That’s when police say a truck pulled up to Salgado’s car near 26th and Hamlin and started shooting. Salgado later died at the hospital, his father speaking in Spanish during the gathering, Salgado’s family left in tears while embracing his teammates. We are a community, not just lifting up a tragedy, a senseless tragedy among us, but lifting up amazing expressions of commitment of our brother, amazing and abiding leadership that he expressed and continues to inspire us with right now, right at this moment, right in these difficult hours. And family members say the teenager used to play for the Chicago Fire youth soccer club. And Dreamed of one day playing soccer in college, earning about 40 sports medals in his short life. So far, police say no one is in custody.