28th Chicago Public School Student Killed This Year

A 14-year-old Hazel Crest boy shot Friday night in the Morgan Park neighborhood became the 28th Chicago Public Schools student killed this school year.

Witnesses said Gregory Robinson, a freshman at Simeon Career Academy, died shielding two younger children from bullets fired at the car they rode in.

Relatives praised the actions of Robinson, who police believe was not the intended target of the shooting.

“He always wanted to be a hero,’’ said his cousin, Brandon Orange.

At separate events Saturday, community leaders like the Rev. Jesse Jackson, as well as Mayor Daley, lamented the latest tragedy, and called for an end to the violence and stricter gun control laws.

Robinson had been returning to an aunt’s home from a Simeon basketball game with two older cousins and two small children, when shots rang out about 10:45 p.m. in the 1100 block of West 110th Place, family members said.

Robinson’s cousin, Brandon Orange, who was in the front seat of the car, said he heard what sounded like 30 gunshots being fired at the Chevrolet Malibu as his sister, Brittani Orange, was making a U-turn to park in front of her family’s home.

Brandon Orange shielded his sister, while Robinson tried to protect Brittani Orange’s 10-month-old son, Antonio Porterfield, and 4-year-old goddaughter Sinyiia Bennett, who were with him in the backseat.

When he saw that his cousin slumped over in the back seat, Brandon Orange said, “I didn’t think it was real. Not Greg. He never said or did anything to anybody.”

Robinson suffered a gunshot wound to the back, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office said. He was pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn at 11:35 p.m.

No other passengers inside the vehicle were injured, Chicago Police said.