Gyovanny Arzuaga Died From Gunshot Injuries And Yasmin Perez In Critical Condition, Both Were Attacked By A Group Of Men Near Humboldt Park In Chicago

Arzuaga died from gunshot injuries and Perez is in critical condition after a group of men attacked them during an impromptu Puerto Rican parade and flag cruising near Humboldt Park in Chicago.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 20, 2021

Chicago, Illinois - On Saturday, Chicago police responded to a shot spotter around 9:15p.m. at the 3200 block of W. Division Street where a couple were reported shot. On arrival, police discovered both Gyovanny Arzuaga, 24, and Yasmin Perez, 25, suffering from gunshot wounds. They were shot by a group of men.

Arzuaga was transported to Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center where he was later pronounced deceased. Perez who was shot in the neck was transported to Stroger Hospital where she remains in critical condition, according to police.

A surveillance video camera recorded footage where both Arzuaga and Perez were attacked and a man fired multiple shots at the couple as Arzuaga protects Perez with his own body.

Arzuaga and Perez were cruising with flags along W. Division St. during an impromptu parading and cruising with Puerto Rican flags on Saturday during what is recognized as a local Puerto Rican festivity weekend in June.

Chicago police are searching for suspects.

Update: On Monday, during a press conference Chicago police confirmed that Perez was driving the vehicle when a minor accident occurred, then a group of suspects swarmed Perez's vehicle and are seen dragging her out of the vehicle, beating her and a suspect fired a shot striking her in the neck. Then, Arzuaga comes out of the vehicle and places himself on top of her attempting to protect her with his body when a second suspect fired multiple shots execution style striking Arzuaga in the head. 

Both Perez and Arzuaga were among 65 victims reported shot in Chicago over the weekend, a 27% decrease from 2020 (85). 10 of those victims including Arzuaga were reported killed over the Father's Day weekend compared to 17 in 2020, according to police.  

Suspects are being sought and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot vowed that those involved in Arzuaga's cold blooded murder will be brought to justice. Tips to police have apparently identified the suspect that shot Arzuaga and is being sought by police. 

Police are also attempting to identify the other suspects that dragged Perez from the vehicle she was driving.