Whiting, Indiana – The community of Whiting, Indiana came together to honor the life of a young Chicago teenager, Damien Abenante-Villa, who tragically lost his life to gun violence while visiting family in Northwest Indiana. The 14-year-old boy was shot and killed in front of his loved ones nearly a month ago, leaving his family and friends devastated and seeking answers from local authorities.
The boy’s father, Alexander Villa, is currently serving a life sentence for the shooting death of off-duty Chicago police officer Clifton Lewis in 2011. However, controversy surrounds Villa’s conviction, leaving his family grappling with legal battles and seeking justice in both cases.
During a vigil held in Whiting, where Damien was fatally shot in front of his friends and cousins, the community gathered to show support and demand justice for the young victim. Emotions ran high as family members expressed their grief and frustration over the senseless loss of a beloved son and nephew.
The shooting took place in late March as Damien was visiting his family in Northwest Indiana to celebrate his cousin’s birthday. While walking with his relatives and friends to a nearby park, shots were fired in their direction, claiming the life of the innocent teenager and leaving his loved ones shattered.
Despite the passage of nearly a month since the tragic incident, no motive has been released by the authorities, and no arrests have been made in connection with Damien’s murder. His family continues to plead with town officials and law enforcement for answers, desperate for closure and accountability in the case.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this heartbreaking loss, the family remains determined to seek justice for Damien and to ensure that his memory is honored and remembered. The unresolved nature of the case has left many unanswered questions and a lingering sense of injustice in the wake of the young boy’s untimely death.