Teen killed on same day as anti-violence march

August 21, 2011 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Police are searching for the gunman who shot and killed a 14-year-old boy in Chicago's West Side Austin neighborhood.

Authorities say someone reportedly walked up to the teen, identified as Joseph Price, and fatally shot him about 2 p.m. in the 500-block of North Long Avenue in Chicago's West Austin neighborhood.

"Someone just walked up and snatched him down to the ground and shot him. We don't know what was the cause or nothing," said Tina Welch, the victim's friend.

Price lived a couple of blocks away in a group home.

"I don't know why someone would shoot him so many times in the head. His birthday was next month. All he kept talking about was what to do on his fifteenth birthday," said Gayland Hill, the victim's guardian.

Meanwhile in Englewood, dozens of residents and ministers marched with a symbolic conffin in honor of another teen that was gunned down. Charinez Jefferson, 17, was six months pregnant when she was killed last week while she was walking home from a store. Marchers were asking for help in finding Jefferson's killer.

"Marching makes a difference. This time around, we have people crossing denominational or religious lines, people working with law enforcement, working hand-in-hand. It creates an atmosphere, an environment where people like this have no hiding place," said Bishop Tavis Grant, Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

"Parents need to get involved in kids' education. Teachers can't do it all. It has to be community issue for it to stop," said area resident Beth Reid.

As the march continued on 63rd Street, shots rang out. While police rushed to the scene, No one was going to let the latest violence in the neighborhood stop their cause, especially Jefferson's family.

"We have to fight. We have to stay together. This is a rainbow neighborhood. My neighbor to my right is white; my neighbor to my left is Mexican. We have to stay together. We have to keep fighting. I don't want her death to go in vain," said Brigette Williams, Jefferson's aunt.

Charninez Jefferson's family is encouraging mourners to bring their children to the 17-year-old's funeral. Relatives say it's important for kids to see firsthand the result of violence. Also late Sunday, police filed charges again

Doctors were able to deliver Jefferson's baby. He is in critical condition at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

Late Sunday night, Chicago police charged Timothy Jones, 18, of 6337 S. Rockwell St., with fatally shooting Jefferson. While Jefferson did not appear to be the intended target, police say Joseph Price was intentionally killed Sunday in Austin.

The 14-year-old had only lived in his group home for 30 days. His guardian says he was supposed to go to Milwaukee on Thursday to live with his sister.

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local, sarah schulte

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