Family of man killed in Chicago Heights seeks details in fatal shooting

Juan Ortiz / photo from Cook County Crime Stoppers

(CHICAGO HEIGHTS) Relatives of a man who was shot to death last week in south suburban Chicago Heights will gather Saturday to pass out flyers asking for leads to solve his murder.

Juan Ortiz, 44, was shot in the chest while washing dishes inside his home on Dec. 11, according to Cook County Crime Stoppers.

Officers responded to a call of shots fired in the 1600 block of West Sunnyside Avenue 9:43 p.m., according to a statement from Chicago Heights police. Ortiz was found lying on his back with a gunshot wound to the chest, according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

He was taken to Franciscan St. James Health in Chicago Heights, where he was pronounced dead at 10:20 p.m., authorities said. An autopsy last week ruled his death a homicide.

Ortiz’s family and friends, Chicago Heights police and other volunteers will gather in the 1600 block of South Sunnyside at 11 a.m. Saturday to hand out flyers seeking information about the shooting, Crime Stoppers said.

A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the person responsible.

Anyone with information should call Chicago Heights police at (708) 756-6422 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 535-7867.