Venezuelan migrant teens charged in stabbing death of Chicago homeless man

16-year-old Wuinayker Rodriguez-Vasquez faces first-degree murder charges and is being tried as an adult. He appeared for a detention hearing on Tuesday, where a judge ordered him to be held pre-trial.

His two accomplices, both 14, have also been charged. One teen has been charged with first-degree murder, and the other with armed robbery. They appeared in juvenile court on Monday and are being held in custody.

The stabbing occurred on Sunday around 5:45 am in the Chicago Loop. The victim, unknown to the suspects, was approached while sleeping near his cat and belongings. Rodriguez-Vasquez allegedly had a knife concealed in his sleeve, while another teen carried a metal rod. One of the group grabbed the victim’s belongings and ran off. When the victim stood up, Rodriguez-Vasquez allegedly kicked him, another teen struck him, and Rodriguez-Vasquez stabbed him in the back, causing him to collapse. The incident was captured on surveillance video.

The victim was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The stab wound was ruled the cause of death, and authorities have classified the case as a homicide. The teenagers were later detained while wearing the same clothing seen in the surveillance footage. Rodriguez-Vasquez was found with a knife and identified by both his mother and another member of the group.

According to a report by Fox News, Department of Homeland Security records indicate that Rodriguez-Vasquez entered the United States in September 2023 near Eagle Pass, Texas. He was arrested at the time of crossing the border illegally and released with his mother.