Cook County Crime Stoppers seeks leads in unsolved Little Village murder

Family of 24-year-old victim Itzel Gomez demands justice, as community volunteers canvass the area for new information.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The family of a 24-year-old woman shot and killed in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood last year is demanding justice in her unsolved murder. Community members with Cook County Crime Stoppers are going door-to-door in the area, passing out flyers and hoping to drum up new leads in the case of Itzel Gomez, who was shot in the back of the head while being dropped off at home from work.

Why it matters

Gomez's murder remains unsolved, leaving her family traumatized and the community searching for answers. The Little Village neighborhood has seen a high rate of violent crime, and this case highlights the need for more information to help solve open investigations and provide closure for victims' loved ones.

The details

On December 19th of last year, Gomez was being dropped off at home from work by a co-worker when someone fired shots at their car near 23rd Place and Rockwell. Gomez was struck in the back of the head and died three days later at the hospital. Police say Gomez and her co-worker had no gang ties, and the Crime Stoppers team is confident their efforts canvassing the block will lead to new information about the shooting.

  • On December 19, 2025, Itzel Gomez was shot while being dropped off at home from work.
  • Gomez died three days later, on December 22, 2025, at the hospital.

The players

Itzel Gomez

A 24-year-old woman who was shot and killed in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood in an unsolved murder case.

Paul Rutherford

The executive director of Cook County Crime Stoppers, which is leading the effort to find new leads in Gomez's murder case.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Here she was working, going to school, and I feel for them. I have a 23-year-old daughter, and I could just imagine if something ever happens to her in this instance, I'd be traumatized for life.”

— Paul Rutherford, Executive Director, Cook County Crime Stoppers (nbcchicago.com)

“Don't be scared, it takes a simple phone call to our hotline number at 1-800-535-STOP (7867).”

— Paul Rutherford, Executive Director, Cook County Crime Stoppers (nbcchicago.com)

What’s next

A reward of up to $10,000 is currently being offered in Itzel Gomez's case, and the Cook County Crime Stoppers team continues to canvass the Little Village neighborhood in search of new leads and information.

The takeaway

This unsolved murder highlights the ongoing challenges of violent crime in Chicago's neighborhoods and the critical need for community engagement and cooperation to help solve open investigations. The Gomez family's continued search for justice underscores the lasting trauma experienced by victims' loved ones when perpetrators evade accountability.