Family heartbroken after Chicago high school student killed in Little Village shooting
A 17-year-old orphan was gunned down at a Chicago McDonald’s by a 19-year-old who reportedly targeted her for throwing water at employees.
Tierra Franklin was gunned down outside a fast food restaurant in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood on Friday.
Suspect Anthony Heredia, 19, claims he was called up to the scene by an unnamed friend who asked him to take revenge on Franklin for throwing water.
It’s unknown who asked Heredia to lash out at Franklin, or what sparked the alleged water-throwing incident.
It happened at a drive-thru window during a ‘ongoing dispute,’ according to cops.
Heredia allegedly fired two shots at Franklin while passing by on a bike, striking her in the back once.
The teen, who aspired to be a lawyer, was rushed to St Anthony’s Hospital, where she later died.
During the first part of the July 4 holiday weekend, 35 people were shot and five people were killed, including Franklin.
Tierra’s mother, Keeyana Sanderson, died of cancer in April of this year. Tierra’s father, who has not been identified, was shot and killed when she was five years old.
Further information about the circumstances of that murder has not been released.
Heredia was apprehended on Friday immediately after the shooting after multiple McDonald’s staff members identified him as having been at the restaurant just before the shooting.
In January, Heredia pleaded guilty to reckless discharge of a firearm in connection with an incident in 2021. He was sentenced to two years in prison, but he was released in March with time served credit.
‘I just want to apologize to the victim’s family,’ Heredia said in court on Sunday.
During the hearing, Circuit Judge Susana Ortiz mentioned that Heredia was able to obtain a gun at the age of 19.
‘I will note here that we have a 19-year-old who can obtain firearms more readily that he can obtain a pack of cigarettes,’ Ortiz said. ‘That’s something we may want to look at.’
Heredia has been ordered held without bond.
