Eight days after an altercation at the CTA Green Line Clinton stop on the Near West Side that critically injured a 9-year-old boy, Chicago police still have no one in custody.
Surveillance video shows Elijah Flores exit a Green Line train with a companion, Jonah Soria, 22, who was arguing with two other men around 11:15 a.m.
As the argument turned physical, the two men chased Soria and Elijah, who ran from the Clinton station platform. Soria scooped Elijah up “as he was not keeping up,” according to a police report.
As they went down the stairs, one of the two men struck Soria in the back with an object, causing him and Elijah to fall down the flight of stairs, police said. Soria landed on top of Elijah, who was knocked unconscious with a skull fracture, according to a police report.
This week, Elijah was declared brain dead, and his family has agreed to donate his organs.
Two GoFundMe fundraisers have been organized to help his family defray medical and funeral expenses.
“Elijah was excited to start a new school year, full of dreams and innocence. Tragically, he suffered life-threatening head and brain injuries and has been declared brain dead. Elijah is an organ donor. He will give others an opportunity to live by donating his organs,” a GoFundMe page reads. “His mother, Esmeralda Lopez, is now facing the unimaginable — grieving the loss of her child while trying to navigate the emotional and financial aftermath of this horrific event. Esmeralda is a devoted, loving mother who is completely heartbroken by this loss.”
So far, one fund has raised more than half of its $11,000 goal, and the other has raised more than $700 of a $14,000 goal.
The second campaign, set up by Brandi Miller, Elijah’s father’s fiancee, credits doctors at Lurie Children’s Hospital with doing all they could to save the child before his medical team declared him brain dead.
“He will be honored through a hero walk as he becomes a real-life superhero and saves the lives of many via organ donation,” the GoFundMe says.
The family declined to comment.
In a statement, the CTA said it extends its deepest condolences to the family of Elijah Flores.
“We continue to provide our full and complete support to the Chicago Police Department as they investigate this matter,” the CTA said.
Michael Puente is a reporter and anchor with WBEZ. Reach him mpuente@wbez.org.