Racine police: Boy accidentally shot, killed by sibling

Police: Boy accidentally shot, killed by sibling

An 11-year-old child was shot and killed in Racine on Friday night, May 17. Family identified the victim to FOX6 News at Jesus "Chu-Cho" Valladares.

RACINE, Wis. - An 11-year-old boy was shot and killed in Racine on Friday night, May 17. Family members identified the victim as Jesus "Chu-Cho" Valladares.

Boy shot

What they're saying:

According to the Racine Police Department, officers were notified just after 10:30 p.m. that a child had been shot and was being taken to a hospital by family. The child, now identified as Valladares, did not survive.

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Police said preliminary information indicates the shooting happened at a home near Howard and Prospect, and the victim was accidentally shot by his 16-year-old brother.

Jesus "Chu-Cho" Valladares (photo provided by family)

"For a kid that young life to be cut short, it just hurts a little bit," neighbor Zyshawn Swanagan said.

A suspect was identified and apprehended, and charges were referred to the district attorney's office.

Family heartbroken

What they're saying:

Loved ones told FOX6 News the shooting took away two family members: the 11-year-old and his older brother. Through grief and anger, they're trying to figure out what's next.

"He was full of life," said Dolores Villarreal, Valladares' cousin. "This just happened so suddenly. Very heartbreaking to all of us."

Jesus "Chu-Cho" Valladares (photo provided by family)

To add heartbreak to heartache, Villarreal said Valladares died on her grandfather's birthday, who recently passed away.

"We're really close family. We're all we have, so it's been really hard for us," she said.

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They don't know exactly what happened, but loved ones told FOX6 News it highlights the need to keep guns out of the hands of young people – hoping other families won't have to share their pain.

"People have to take this gun stuff seriously. Not making it so easy for these kids to have guns, like nothing can happen. We would have never expected – we didn't even know he had a gun," said Dolores Wright, Valladares' aunt. "Because of a dumb decision that he chose to carry a gun, that's going to affect him for the rest of his life as well."

What you can do:

The family set up a GoFundMe online fundraiser to help pay for Valladares' funeral. 

Racine PD tips

What you can do:

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to call the Racine Police Department Investigations Unit at 262-635-7756. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 262-636-9330 or use the P3 app.