16-year-old Hyde Park Academy student killed in shooting that stemmed from earlier altercation: report

Sixteen-year-old Eric Billups was gunned down in an attack that left a Hyde Park Academy High School classmate wounded after the shooter and Billups, who had an earlier quarrel, made plans to fight each other after school Wednesday, according to a Chicago police report.

When school dismissed, Eric and a 16-year-old girl were waiting at a bus stop in the 6300 block of South Stony Island Avenue around 3:25 p.m., police said.

"The offender confronted the victim at the bus stop, retrieved a handgun from his backpack and opened fire on the victims," according to police reports obtained by the Sun-Times.

Eric was shot six times — five times in his body and once in his left arm — and was found unresponsive at the scene. He was rushed to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition and was pronounced dead at 3:48 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Eric's mom was too distraught to speak when reached by a Sun-Times reporter.

The girl, who was shot once in the calf, told responding officers the shooter was wearing a Hyde Park Academy uniform and he returned to the area after being released from school earlier in the day, according to police reports. She was also taken to the University of Chicago, where she was listed in fair condition.

Witnesses told officers Eric and the shooter were supposed to fight after school, the police reports stated. It was clear what the dispute was over but the alleged shooter, who had been released from school early, came back.

Police found 12 shell casings from a 9 mm gun, two book bags and blood at the scene, the report said.

The shooting happened two blocks from Hyde Park Academy High School resulting in the school briefly being placed on a soft lockdown, officials said.

In a letter sent to Hyde Park Academy community members, Principal Rosette Edinburg noted that "some members of our school community were impacted by this incident" and the school was working to offer support services.

"We will be working with the CPS Crisis Management Unit to provide support to students and staff members. Our own school-based mental health professionals will also be available for students who need ongoing services," the letter states. "We are extremely saddened by this incident and will do everything we can to help our school community heal."

“All of us at Chicago Public Schools are saddened to learn of the loss of a young person’s life and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, school and community members impacted by this tragedy,” CPS said in a statement.

Ald. Desmond Yancy (5th) was "still processing" the shooting which happened in his ward, he told the Sun-Times Thursday morning.

"It's still difficult to understand how young people are dealing with trauma and grief while still having easy access to handguns," Yancy said. "It's hard for me to think about what goes through the mind of young people where they feel like they have to resolve conflict with violence."

Yancy noted that it's been a "rough few weeks" for the Hyde Park Academy community.

Violet Harris, a 15-year-old student, was killed after a vehicle crashed into the electric scooter she was riding last month in South Shore and Lania Smith, 18-year-old senior, was killed in a hit-and-run in Dolton earlier this month.

"My heart goes out to the community and with community leaders about how we can not only support the students there, but also try to mitigate this violence," Yancy said.

On Tuesday, Yancy was in attendance at a "parent takeover" after "credible reports" of a teen takeover in Hyde Park from Mayor Brandon Johnson's office.

"It's better for us to try and find ways to support each other through this moment and at the same time figure out what role you can play in impacting young people so that this violence doesn’t become an option for them," Yancy said.

Johnson's office didn't have any comment on the shooting citing an ongoing investigation.

No arrests had been made as of Thursday morning.