Elgin teen fatally shot before Lil Durk concert was an entrepreneur who wanted to open his own auto shop
Jesse Kendall, a high school senior from Elgin, who was fatally shot Sunday while on his way to a Lil Durk concert at the United Center, had dreams of opening his own automotive shop after college.
The teen was an entrepreneur who started a landscaping business and detailed cars for his friends and neighbors, his family said.
“Everyone who knew him loved him,” said Tommy Kendall, his older brother. “We’re going to miss him. I just never thought something like this would happen — especially to him.”
Jesse Kendall, 18, and four friends were making their way to the United Center on Sunday night when they were confronted by four assailants. The attackers robbed them at gunpoint before fatally shooting Jesse Kendall, Chicago police said.
He had bought the tickets as a birthday gift for his girlfriend, his older brother said. “They always had a good time and he loved her,” Tommy Kendall said.
The attack unfolded as the five walked in the 100 block of North Wolcott Avenue, just minutes before the concert began at 7 p.m.
After they gave the robbers their property, Jesse Kendall walked a few steps south on Wolcott Avenue and began yelling at them, “They’re not gonna do anything.”
The four then confronted Jesse Kendall, one asking, “What, boy?” before pistol-whipping Jesse Kendall in the head, causing him to collapse. When Jesse Kendall fought back, the assailants “battered” him before shooting him in the chest, according to the police report.
The four then “reapproached” the other victims — two Elgin sisters, 16 and 17, an 18-year-old Elgin woman and a 20-year-old Chicago man — “keeping an eye” on them as they sprinted away looking for help, the report said.
As the attackers ran away, responding officers found two other people who had been shot, including a 19-year-old man shot in the ribs and a 15-year-old shot in his hand and abdomen.
The 19-year-old was listed in critical condition; the 15-year-old was in good condition. Both were recovering at Stroger, police said.
Jesse Kendall was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.
He died of multiple gunshot wounds, and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the medical examiner’s office.
“I hope they find who did it,” Kendall’s father, Gary Kendall, said. “I’m going to miss him. I’ll never say goodbye to him.”
Tommy Kendall said his brother was not only a sibling but also his best friend.
“We did everything together,” he said. “He was like my left-hand man, and I was his right-hand man.”
The brothers often bonded over music, the gym, but especially their cars.
At only 15 years old, Jesse Kendall brought his first car — an orange 1975 Chevy C10 — which Tommy said was the exact color of his brother’s hair.
“We loved to go to car meets, and we drove past it one time and saw it was for sale,” he said. “He bought it and began working on it. It was his pride and joy.”
Now Tommy said he’ll honor his brother by finishing what he started and fully restoring it.
“Jesse loved working on cars,” Tommy Kendall said. “He took pride in it, and he wanted to be a mechanic. He was going to go to college to study business so we could open up his own shop.”
Despite their loss, Tommy and Gary Kendall said they’re grateful for the support they’ve received from their friends and neighbors.
“Everyone in the neighborhood has been stopping by and checking on us,” Gary Kendall said. “I’m thankful for everyone. I know they’re going to miss him too.”
A GoFundMe created on behalf of Jesse Kendall’s family had raised nearly $9,000 as of Tuesday evening.
Elgin School District U-46 confirmed one of its students was killed in the shooting in a statement released Monday morning.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of one of our Elgin High School students following a tragic incident over the weekend. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the student’s family, friends, and all those affected by this loss,” the district said in the statement. “In response, our school is providing counseling and support services to help students and staff during this difficult time.”
Last year, unconfirmed reports of shots fired near the end of Lil Durk’s set at the United Center sparked a “stampede” that injured several people.
