A 9-year-old Humboldt Park boy has died after falling down the stairs and hitting his head in the wake of an argument that turned physical at a CTA train station in the West Loop earlier this month.
An autopsy performed Tuesday determined that the boy, Elijah Flores, died of blunt force injuries to the head in a death that was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
As of late Tuesday afternoon, more than nine days after the incident, no arrests had been made as Belmont Area detectives investigated, Chicago police said. The Cook County state’s attorney’s office confirmed to the Tribune that it had been notified of the investigation, but provided no further details.
Late in the morning on Aug. 10, a 22-year-old man traveling with Elijah got into a verbal altercation with two other men at the Clinton Green Line stop at 540 W. Lake St., according to police and the CTA. The argument turned physical when one man struck the 22-year-old in the back with an unknown object, causing him and the boy to fall down the stairs. Authorities have not publicly stated the man’s relationship to the boy.
Elijah was transported to Lurie Children’s Hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead Saturday. The men fled the scene in an unknown direction, police said.
In a statement, CTA officials said they “extend its deepest condolences to the family of Elijah Ramon Flores,” adding they would continue to work with police as they investigate. Police have not released an image of the suspects.
Two GoFundMe pages have been launched to help with funeral expenses. One had more than $16,000.
“Elijah was excited to start a new school year, full of dreams and innocence,” the page reads. According to the page, Elijah suffered “life-threatening head and brain injuries” and was ultimately declared brain dead. An organ donor, Elijah “will give others an opportunity to live by donating his organs,” the page states. Donations received through the fundraiser, the page states, will go directly to Elijah’s mother to help cover funeral expenses and medical bills.
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