Suspect Still Wanted 3 Years After Fatal Palatine Shooting

PALATINE, IL — Three years after a shooting that killed a 15-year-old boy, Palatine police say one suspect remains at large and are again asking the public for help.

The shooting occurred Aug. 17, 2023, in the 1700 block of East Clear Creek Bay. Officers later found the wounded teenager in the 1200 block of Long Valley Drive in unincorporated Palatine. He was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, where he later died.

RELATED: Fatal Shooting Suspect Considered 'Armed And Dangerous' — Palatine PD

Patch reported at the time that the victim was identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office as Damian Hernandez, of Mount Prospect.

Second Suspect Remains Wanted

A 14-year-old boy was charged in juvenile court in connection with the shooting.

Police also identified Jesus Pantoja, then 18 and living in unincorporated Palatine, as a second suspect. An arrest warrant was issued for Pantoja on Aug. 23, 2023.

Patch reported three years ago that police considered Pantoja armed and dangerous as they searched for him following Hernandez's death. At the time, police said the juvenile suspect had been charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Pantoja remains at large, according to Palatine police.

Police Again Ask For Tips

On Monday, the three-year anniversary of the shooting, police said the investigation remains active and urged anyone with information about the case or Pantoja's whereabouts to come forward.

Investigators said even information that may have seemed insignificant at the time could now prove useful.

Tips can be submitted through the case page at SolveTheCase.org or by calling the Palatine Police Department at 847-359-9000.