Mather High School Student Charged with Rape in Avondale Alley

Prosecutors say 17-year-old Gerson Castillo Flores assaulted 15-year-old girl at gunpoint while accomplice held her friend hostage.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 12:23pm

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A 17-year-old student from Mather High School in Chicago has been charged with raping a 15-year-old girl at gunpoint in an Avondale alley in November 2025. Prosecutors say Gerson Castillo Flores forced the victim into the alley and sexually assaulted her while his accomplice held the victim's friend at knifepoint nearby.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of sexual violence against minors and the need for increased safety measures and support services for young victims in Chicago neighborhoods. It also raises questions about school safety and the role of law enforcement in preventing and responding to such crimes.

The details

According to prosecutors, Flores and his accomplice were following the two 15-year-old girls near the Rockwell Brown Line station on November 21, 2025. When the girls tried to avoid the males, Flores allegedly caught up to the victim, pressed a gun to her chest, and forced her into a nearby alley. While Flores sexually assaulted the victim, his accomplice held the victim's friend at knifepoint to prevent her from intervening or calling for help. The victim was able to text her location to her friend, and a passerby eventually called 911, but the assailants fled the scene. Investigators used surveillance footage and other evidence to identify Flores as the primary suspect.

  • The incident occurred around 9:20 p.m. on November 21, 2025.
  • Flores was arrested and charged in March 2026.

The players

Gerson Castillo Flores

A 17-year-old student at Mather High School in Chicago, originally from Colombia, who has been charged with raping a 15-year-old girl at gunpoint in an Avondale alley.

Luciano Panici, Jr.

The judge who ordered Flores detained pending trial.

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What they’re saying

“Prosecutors told Panici that the victim and her friend, also 15, were walking toward a bridge to take pictures around 9:20 p.m. on November 21. As they approached the Rockwell Brown Line station, they noticed two males were following them and one, later identified as Flores, was wearing a ski mask.”

— Prosecutors

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Gerson Castillo Flores to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing issue of sexual violence against minors in Chicago and the need for stronger measures to protect young people, including increased safety around public transit hubs and support services for victims. It also raises questions about school safety and the role of law enforcement in preventing and responding to such crimes.