You never really expect a morning dog walk to turn into a gunfight—but that’s exactly what happened to 66-year-old David Villalobos in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood early Tuesday morning.
Villalobos was out with his dog around 3:30 a.m. near West Cullerton Street when he saw what looked like a carjacking in progress. Two guys were trying to steal a car, and instead of walking by like nothing was happening, Villalobos stepped in. According to police, he exchanged words with the suspects, and things escalated fast. One of them pulled out a gun, and shots were fired in both directions. Villalobos, who is a licensed firearm owner, ended up getting shot in the leg (ABC7 Chicago).
Thankfully, he’s in good condition and recovering. Villalobos later said he was thinking more about getting home to his family than playing hero. “It’s getting bad again in the neighborhood,” he told reporters—something a lot of Pilsen residents are starting to feel too.
Neighbors were understandably shaken. One resident, Alejandra Gonzalez, said she’s now scared to even walk down the block. She pointed out that the vibe in the neighborhood has shifted in recent years, and not in a good way (ABC7 Chicago).
As for the suspects, they took off in a Lexus sedan, which was later found ditched in North Lawndale. So far, no one’s been arrested, but police are investigating (ABC7 Chicago).
This whole incident is another reminder of how real the crime issue still is in some Chicago neighborhoods—and how important it is for communities to look out for each other. Hopefully, this case gets solved quickly, and Villalobos gets some well-deserved rest—and maybe a few extra treats for his dog.
