Two Venezuelan migrant teenagers, aged 16 and 14, have been charged with the murder of a homeless man in the Loop area of Chicago. The incident occurred early Sunday morning and was described in a detention proffer filed by prosecutors. The older boy, Wuinayker Rodriguez-Vasquez, had no previous criminal record in the area but had prior law enforcement contact in Texas in 2023 related to an “alien inadmissibility” case.
The teenagers, along with another 14-year-old migrant, were walking through the Loop when they came across 49-year-old Bradley Obeirne, who appeared to be homeless and was lying in an alcove with his belongings, including a cat and a skeleton mask. Surveillance video captured one of the 14-year-olds carrying a metal rod towards Obeirne, while the other 14-year-old stole the victim’s skeleton mask and ran away. Rodriguez-Vasquez then kicked Obeirne from behind, initiating a physical attack that ultimately led to his death.
After the attack, most of the group fled south on Wabash Avenue, leaving Rodriguez-Vasquez and the other 14-year-old near the victim. The younger boy raised the metal rod as if to strike, prompting Obeirne to defend himself. Rodriguez-Vasquez kicked the victim while the 14-year-old struck him with the metal rod. Rodriguez-Vasquez then pulled out a knife from his sleeve and stabbed Obeirne in the back, causing him to collapse. The group fled southbound, eventually boarding a Red Line train at Monroe.
Obeirne’s body was discovered by a passerby in the alcove a few hours later, prompting a call to 911. He was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police later identified the group of teenagers in the 2600 block of West Cermak Road, with Rodriguez-Vasquez found in possession of a knife during a search.
Further investigation revealed footage of Rodriguez-Vasquez displaying the knife, making stabbing motions, and wearing the victim’s skeleton mask. He has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder and mob action, and was detained by Judge Ankur Srivastava. The 14-year-old who stole the victim’s mask is facing robbery charges in juvenile court, while the other 14-year-old is charged with first-degree murder in juvenile court.
Juvenile records are sealed from public view, so no further information is available about the two younger suspects. This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of homeless individuals and the importance of community support and intervention in preventing such senseless acts of violence.
