The Chicago community is engulfed in grief following the heartbreaking loss of 15-year-old Alex Durante, whose life was cut short in a violent shooting in the Canaryville neighborhood. The incident, which unfolded on the afternoon of August 28, 2025, also left a 12-year-old boy fighting for his life, igniting a wave of sorrow and urgent calls to address the scourge of gun violence plaguing the city’s youth.
Around 3:45 p.m., in a vacant lot on the 600-block of West 47th Street, just a block from Tilden High School, Alex and a younger boy found themselves in a confrontation that turned deadly. According to the Chicago Police Department, the two boys were approached by a group, and at least one individual drew a firearm. In a matter of moments, gunfire erupted, striking Alex in the hip and the 12-year-old in the chest. Amid the chaos, one of the boys stumbled to the back of Style Headquarters, a nearby barbershop, collapsing in a desperate bid for safety. Both were rushed to the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital, where medical teams fought to save them.
Tragically, Alex Durante succumbed to his injuries the following morning, Friday, August 29. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed his identity, leaving a family shattered and a community in mourning. The 12-year-old victim remains in critical condition, his fate a stark reminder of the fragility of life in a city too often marked by such violence.
On Friday, police announced the arrest of 19-year-old Daniel Navas Maiver in connection with the shooting. Charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder, Maiver is set to appear in court on Sunday, August 31, as the community seeks answers and justice. Authorities have not disclosed whether the victims or suspect are linked to Tilden High School, but the shooting’s proximity to the campus—occurring just 15 minutes after dismissal—prompted a soft lockdown and heightened fears among parents and students.
Alex Durante’s death has left an indelible mark on those who knew him. Described by loved ones as a vibrant, kindhearted teenager with boundless potential, Alex was a beacon of hope in his community. Friends and family recall his infectious energy, his care for those around him, and his dreams of a brighter future—dreams now stolen by a senseless act of violence. His loss has reignited calls for action to curb the gun violence that continues to rob Chicago of its young lives, leaving a void that no words can fill.
As the city grapples with yet another tragedy, Alex’s memory endures as a poignant rallying cry for change, urging Chicago to protect its children and reclaim its streets from the grip of violence.