‘Never bothered anyone’: Pilsen shooting victim was a beloved member of the community, local residents say

CHICAGO (WGN) — It was a violent Labor Day weekend in the city, with 58 people shot, including eight killed, according to the Chicago Police Department’s official holiday weekend crime stats, released Tuesday morning.

Near the scene of one of those shootings, in the area of West 17th Street and Wolcott Avenue, a growing memorial of flowers, candles, and balloons represents the palpable grief many in the Pilsen community are feeling.

It was a shooting early Sunday morning that left two men wounded and claimed the life of 57-year-old Pedro Toledo Catalan, fondly known to many as Pepe. Residents say he long faced homelessness, living on the streets of Pilsen for many years.

It is believed Pepe was an innocent victim, caught in the crossfire.

“He was very kind, thoughtful, respectful. I don’t know anything bad about him,” Pilsen resident Dalia Radecki said. “My grandkids would honk and say, ‘Hey, there’s Pepe!’ I would honk and say, ‘Pepe, get out of the street.’

“He didn’t like that, but it was just for his safety.”

According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, Catalan died from a gunshot wound to his head.

“I was heartbroken when I heard the news, because he’s just such a good dude and completely opposite of violence in any way,” Dan Buchanan, owner of anemoia, a creative studio and vintage shop in Pilsen, said.

Shooting victims were outside

According to Chicago police, all three victims were outside near the 1900 block of W. 17th St. when the shooting happened just before 1:40 a.m. Sunday.

The explosion of gunfire continued for at least 15 seconds and was caught on several residents’ home surveillance cameras.

Police said two men, ages 41 and 43, were hit in the legs by gunfire and taken to the hospital, expected to survive. Pepe, 46, was rushed to Mt. Sinai with a gunshot wound to his head/neck area and two to his leg, where he was pronounced dead.

According to police sources, Pepe was found lying in the intersection, while witnesses said the other two men were found in a separate spot nearby.

Police sources told WGN News approximately 50 shell casings were recovered on the 1800 block of W. 17th St., indicating at least four different guns had been fired.

A man told police he was a valid CCL holder and had exchanged gunfire with someone on the street, sources said. He was initially taken into custody, though it’s not clear whether he’s considered a suspect, and no charges have been filed.

Residents in the area where the shooting occurred told WGN News there have been ongoing issues with a rental property in the 1800 block of W. 17th St. They claim the property has been tied to ongoing parties and that there were issues stemming from this location the night of the shooting.

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward) confirmed his office has received complaints about the location and that his office is in touch with CPD 12th District Commander Garien Gatewood, who is Chicago’s Deputy Mayor of Community Safety.

Sigcho-Lopez shared an anonymous email sent to his office regarding concerns over the rental property being tied to acts of violence on the block. In part, it reads:

“… The most recent left our neighbor Pepe, an innocent homeless man many of us knew from the block, dead. Pepe was not a stranger to our community. He was gentle, kind, and part of Pilsen for years. People shared meals with him, gave him water, clothes, and conversation. He didn’t deserve to lose his life to violence that was brought into our neighborhood by outsiders treating our housing stock like a business opportunity and exploiting our neighborhood for profits over lives. This is more than just one tragic night.”

Authorities have not confirmed whether the shooting may be related to issues stemming from the party. Details regarding what led up to the shooting are still not clear.

‘Never should have happened to Pepe’

As the investigation into the shooting continues, Pilsen residents said the death of their longtime neighbor has left them feeling frustrated and sad.

“Whoever did this, terrible,” Radecki said. “We don’t want that in our community. You don’t come and intrude and just think that you’re going to be shooting out here.

“I’m very upset, angry, because that never should have happened to Pepe. He didn’t bother anybody.”

Buchanan started a GoFundMe to raise money for funeral expenses. He said he considered Pepe a friend and finds it hard to believe he’s gone.

“My first time I met Pepe was when I first moved to Pilsen, and I saw him outside of Slice Factory. I thought, ‘That guy looks awesome. I want to know that guy,'” Buchanan said.

Over the years, Buchanan said Pepe frequented his art store and would attend shows. He said the man would sometimes work the door and dance along to music.

On Saturday night, Buchanan said he had a going away party that Pepe attended. Later in the evening, he returned to find the man still there. He said he made soup for Pepe, and the two had a cigarette and talked over the meal before they parted ways. About 30 minutes later, the shooting happened.

“He was like giggling the whole night, and it was kind of — it was awesome, it was hilarious,” Buchanan said.

That’s how Buchanan is choosing to remember his friend, and he said he hopes those who never had the chance to meet Pepe get a glance into who he was.

A vigil was held for Pepe on Tuesday night. Juanita Romero says those who attended helped clothe and feed him, and gave him scarves in the winter because he was family to them, too.

“He survived all these winters, he survived COVID, and to be killed the way he was killed,” she said.

Mercy Morales brought her sons Lucas and Liam to the vigil. To pray not only for Pepe, but peace as well.

“It’s important for us to come together as a community to try and have a better life, a better future for our families,” Morales said.

During the vigil, Pepe’s neighborhood family got to meet his real brothers for the very first time. Many hugs were shared during the emotional moment.

No arrests or charges have been announced in the shooting. Area Three detectives are handling the investigation, and anyone with information is asked to call them at 312-744-8261, or contact CPDTip.com, where you can remain anonymous.