Charges Filed Against Two Venezuelan Teenagers in Chicago Killing

Two teenage Venezuelan immigrants have been charged with the murder of a homeless man in Chicago over the weekend, as reported by multiple sources.

CWB Chicago shared that the charges were detailed in a detention proposal from the prosecutors.

In the filing, Assistant State Attorney Todd Christ noted that Winaika Rodriguez-Vazquez, 16, “has no local criminal history” but had previous interactions with law enforcement in Texas earlier this year.

The other individual charged with first-degree murder in juvenile court is a 14-year-old boy. Another 14-year-old was charged with robbery.

The three boys were part of a group that encountered 49-year-old Bradley O’Beirne, who was reportedly homeless, around 5:45 a.m. on Sunday in the Loop area. O’Beirne was found next to his belongings, which included a cat and a skeleton mask.

Surveillance footage showed one of the 14-year-old boys approaching O’Beirne with a metal pole. Reports indicate the other 14-year-old took O’Beirne’s skeleton mask and ran away. According to Christ, Rodriguez-Vazquez kicked O’Beirne from behind and initiated an assault that tragically led to his death.

Following the attack, the group fled south on Wabash Street. Rodriguez-Vazquez and the other 14-year-old remained near the victim. The footage captured one boy raising the metal pole as if ready to strike, while O’Beirne raised his hands in defense. Christ mentioned that Rodriguez-Vazquez kicked O’Beirne, and the other boy hit him with the pole.

Several hours later, O’Beirne’s body was discovered in an alcove and he was taken to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The judge has ordered that Rodriguez-Vazquez will face trial, expressing that there was “no reason” for his actions.