Chicago Boy, 3, Killed in Front of Mom and 3 Siblings on His Way Home

While a Chicago mother of four was driving with her children on a Friday night, she noticed a red car following her. Moments later, she saw her three-year-old breathe his last ― a gut-wrenching sight that left her other children traumatized.

As parents, people are ready to do everything to protect their little ones. They go above and beyond for the safety of their children, even if it means sacrificing their own lives.

The woman in today's story found herself in a helpless situation where she didn't get a chance to get her baby out of harm's way. The devastating incident was something no one had seen coming.

A Loving Mother

Veronica Zastro lived in Chicago with her four children. She loved spending time with her babies and was always excited to celebrate their achievements, unaware that her world would soon turn upside down.

On the night of September 30, 2022, Veronica was driving with her children. She had put her babies in the backseat and hoped to reach their destination soon, but fate had other plans.

The loving mother was driving near Chicago's Cicero Avenue and West 71st Street when she witnessed a road rage incident. Worried about her little ones, she moved away from the other vehicle, unaware of the other driver's intentions.

Road Rage

While Veronica drove on Marquette Road, she spotted the same red vehicle in the rear-view mirror. Moments later, she heard her children scream after someone from the backseat of the other vehicle shot at her car.

The incident turned Veronica's life upside down.

The mother was horrified after learning that the gunshot had injured her three-year-old son, Mateo Zastro. The little boy was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn while Veronica prayed for a miracle.

Bad News

Unfortunately, just three months before his fourth birthday, Mateo closed his eyes forever, leaving his family devastated. Veronica had never imagined losing her son at such a tender age. She had a message for her baby's killer:

"It wasn't necessary to do what you did. You were on my path home. I wasn't following you."

"

," she

while recalling the heartbreaking moments when her children witnessed their brother getting shot. The incident turned Veronica's life upside down.

The Investigation

Meanwhile, the police is investigating the case and trying their best to catch the killer. They said they "will not rest" until they find out who shot Mateo. Community activist Andrew Holmes said:

"That mother is still grieving. All she's doing is clutching onto two dinosaurs, and this was the baby's favorite toy."

Per the authorities, anyone with information that could lead to the killer's arrest would be rewarded with $7,000. The police want to find out who killed Mateo, even if they have to "put a bounty on someone's head."

The Support

Family and friends were shocked after learning about little Mateo's unexpected demise. To help Veronica, they set up a GoFundMe page, hoping to raise $15,000. The fundraiser organizer, Ariell Howard, said:

"He was just a baby. He was robbed of his chance at life at such a young age."

On October 3, a vigil was held for Mateo. Family and friends gathered to honor the boy and express their feelings about him. They also urged the authorities to catch the shooter as soon as possible.

"We need change now. We need to wake up to what's going on now," Mateo's grandmother said. The entire family mourned the little one's death and hoped Mateo's killers would be caught soon.

The Comments

The news of Mateo's death circulated on social media, and netizens shared messages of support for his devastated family. Here are some of the comments from FOX 5's Facebook post:

"So horrible! May he rest in peace and condolences to his family."

― (@Elyse Sokol Nuwesra) October 2, 2022

"My heart goes out to the family. Your precious little boy is now in the arms of the angels. May God grant the family comfort and peace."

― (@Annie Grant) October 2, 2022

"So very sorry for your loss. Try to find comfort knowing that he is in God's hands now, and you will be reunited in heaven one day."

― (@Kathy Marrero) October 2, 2022

Our thoughts and prayers are with Mateo's family as they deal with the painful tragedy. We hope Mateo's soul rests in peace and his killers are brought to justice.

Click here to read how a mother cradled her 14-year-old dying son after a shooting incident. The devastated mother had to bury her only child after he closed his eyes forever.