A teenage girl has been shot dead in a wealthy suburb of Chicago, but cops are refusing to release any information about a suspect described on police scanner as an “armed and dangerous Hispanic male”.
Lilly Bova, 16, was gunned down in Glenview, Cook County, at about 11am on Saturday morning, but more than two days later her killer is still on the loose and police have not identified the suspect or released any details about the fatal shooting.
First responders found Lilly with a gunshot wound inside her apartment and performed CPR before rushing her to Advocate Lutheran Hospital, but she could not be saved.
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office said on Monday they were still searching for the suspect, but could not share further details, saying “this was an isolated incident and does not appear to pose a risk to the general public”.
In a police scanner recording aired by CBS News Chicago, the dispatcher can be heard saying: “This is now a wanted homicide, wanted homicide. Armed and dangerous, armed with a handgun. Offender is going to be a male Hispanic.”
Police have not revealed whether the shooting was random or whether Lilly knew her killer.
Grief counsellors were sent to Lilly’s school, Glenbrook South High School, which paid tribute to her in a message to students and parents.
“It is with deep sorrow that we inform you of the loss of sophomore Lilly Bova, who tragically died on Saturday, March 28, while at home. We are keeping her family in our thoughts and respecting their need for privacy as they grieve this unimaginable loss,” Principal Dr Barbara George said.
Though Lilly was a quiet spirit, her teachers and those who knew her best said she loved deeply and was bright, positive and mature beyond her years. Her kind-hearted and optimistic nature will be sorely missed.”
Glenview, northwest of Chicago, is a wealthy neighbourhood with a low crime rate, and the shooting has left residents and Lilly’s classmates shocked and heartbroken.
Friends Laila Milanovic and Sasha Banaban said they had cut pieces of Lilly’s shirt into a bracelet.
“Her energy. She’s so bubbly – she brings a smile to everyone’s face. When she walks in a room, everyone wants to talk to her and be around her,” Sasha told CBS News Chicago.
“We’re going to be like Lilly. We’re going to live like her. We’re going to bring her energy. We’re going to bring her love into this world,” Laila said.
Header image: Left, right Lilly Bova (Facebook).
