WHITING, Indiana – Family and friends came together to honor the life of a Chicago teenager who was tragically shot and killed while visiting relatives in Northwest Indiana. The 14-year-old boy, Damien Abenante-Villa, lost his life in front of loved ones nearly a month ago in Whiting, Indiana. His family is seeking answers from law enforcement as they mourn the loss of their son.
The grieving father of the victim, Alexander Villa, who is serving a life sentence for the fatal shooting of off-duty Chicago police officer Clifton Lewis in 2011, is also involved in a high-profile case marked by controversy regarding his conviction. The community gathered in Whiting to pay tribute to the young boy at the very location where he was fatally shot in the presence of his friends and cousins.
During a vigil held in memory of the young victim, a pastor expressed the collective sentiment of fighting against injustice and seeking justice for the lost life. Heartache and anger resonated among those present at the scene of the shooting near LaPorte and Ohio Avenues in Whiting. Family members, including the victim’s grief-stricken mother Amanda Abenante, shared their pain and memories of Damien at the poignant gathering.
The tragic incident occurred in late March while the teenager was visiting his family in Northwest Indiana to celebrate his cousin’s birthday. As Damien and his companions were on their way to a nearby park, gunshots rang out, claiming the life of the young Chicago resident. His family members have been pleading with local authorities and law enforcement for information and progress in resolving the case as they grapple with the loss of their loved one.
Alexander Villa, currently incarcerated for the killing of Officer Clifton Lewis, had his sentence handed down amid legal challenges and new evidence pointing to a potential miscarriage of justice. Despite pleas for leniency and appeals for exoneration, the grieving family of Damien continues to seek closure and justice for the senseless act of violence that took the life of their beloved teenager. As the investigation into Damien’s murder unfolds, the community remains in mourning, with unanswered questions lingering and no arrests made in connection with the shooting.