Family devastated after Elgin man killed during robbery near United Center: ‘Love your loved ones’

ELGIN, Ill. – An Elgin man was fatally shot during a robbery near the United Center on Sunday night.

Relatives say the victim wanted to surprise his girlfriend with tickets to a Lil Durk concert for her birthday. They found free parking up the street and once headed to the United Center, that’s when trouble met them.

The victim, identified as 18-year-old Jess Kendall, was standing in the 100 block of North Wollcott Avenue just before 7 p.m. with three friends when four offenders approached them, demanding their belongings.

The group complied, but as the offenders began to walk away, an argument erupted between them and Kendall. During the confrontation, one of the offenders struck Kendall in the head with a gun before opening fire, shooting him multiple times, including in the head, according to police.

He was taken to Stroger Hospital where he later died.

Two others were also wounded in the attack. An 18-year-old man was shot in the ribs and remains in critical condition, while a 15-year-old boy sustained a gunshot wound to the hand and a graze wound to his abdomen. He is listed in good condition.

Jess, a senior at Elgin High School, was planning to attend rapper Lil Durk’s First Annual Birthday Bash at the United Center at the time of the shooting.

Thomas Kendall, Jess’ brother, described him as “the most honorable kid you could ever meet.”

“Love your loved ones,” Thomas said. “You don’t know what could happen in a split second. You know, the little kid was my best friend, my little brother. He was 18, we did everything together.”

As detectives continue investigating leads, relatives want the public to know just how special their loved one was. Jess Kendall was all about family, smart, a lover of auto mechanics and enjoyed a good time. Kendall also did odd jobs for neighbors and seniors, according to relatives.

Kendall was excited to graduate and head to college pursuing a degree in automotives. Counselors were at Elgin H.S. offering support.

No suspects are in custody. The investigation is ongoing.