BRIDGEPORT, IL – Police are actively searching for the shooter responsible for the death of a woman in an attempted robbery in Bridgeport over the weekend. Gabriella Ochoa, 31, was tragically killed in what marks the second alarming incident near a well-known park this month.
The shooting took place near Palmisano Park, the same area where a 14-year-old boy was injured by gunfire the previous weekend. Ochoa was attacked near Peoria and 27th Street just before 9 p.m. on Saturday. Authorities report that she was outside when someone in a dark-colored sedan shot her as part of an effort to steal her belongings.
Witnesses describe a chaotic scene, with the gunman accompanied by others who attempted to rob Ochoa. She was struck in the chest and later pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital. A neighbor, who preferred to remain anonymous, mentioned that his security camera captured Ochoa’s screams. Another resident recalled her sister witnessing the gunfire while walking a dog and quickly fleeing the area.
Bystanders, including some who were passing by, rushed to assist Ochoa. Their prompt actions have been commended by the community. “They didn’t just drive past; they stopped to help,” a local resident noted.
Earlier this month, on August 10, a teenage boy was walking near the same park when he heard gunshots and realized he had been hit in the back. He was treated at Stroger Hospital and is in good condition, though he couldn’t provide many details about the incident.
Nicole Lee, the alderwoman for the 11th Ward, expressed concern over the recent surge in violence. “Two incidents in quick succession are unusual for our area,” she said, acknowledging the heightened anxiety among residents.
Alderwoman Lee is urging locals to come forward with any surveillance footage that might aid the investigation. “If we’re unaware of the issue, we can’t address it,” she emphasized.
As of now, police have not taken anyone into custody for either of the shootings.