Benito Juarez shooting: Students plan walkout protest after 2 killed outside Chicago high school

CHICAGO (WLS) — Students at Benito Juarez Community Academy planning a walkout Monday to protest gun violence.

The event organizer said the walkout will happen at 12:55 p.m.

Students will gather at the memorial over there that has been taking shape over the weekend. They plan to talk about the teenagers who lost their lives and then demonstrate around the school to denounce the violence.

RELATED: ‘All I heard was shots’: Sister was on phone with little brother when 2 killed outside CPS school

Students at Benito Juarez Community Academy stopped by a growing memorial Monday morning to remember two students who were shot and killed on Friday just outside school grounds.

Student Diana Trevino was scared to come back.

“A bit nervous because it just happened Friday, two days ago three days ago and like you never know what’s gonna happen if they’re gonna come back today or not,” she said.

Branden Perez and his friend Nathan Billegas were gunned down outside of the Pilsen neighborhood school Friday afternoon.

Many students heard the shots and ran for cover. Two other teenagers were also hurt.

Chicago police released photos of a person who they said is connected to the shooting.

WATCH | CPD gives update after 4 teens shot, 2 killed in Pilsen

Monday, sophomore Kiya Vaughn has planned a student walkout to protest the violence.

“No one should have to come to school afraid,” Vaughn said. “Honestly, I feel like we should just come here to learn. We shouldn’t have to come here and worry about like us like dying or anything.”

Vaughn said she wants school administrators to address gang activity in and around the school.

“For people who aren’t in gangs, honestly, it’s scary for us to come here every day and have to know that there’s people here that could be removed and then they’re just not,” she said.

Some students Monday morning called for more police protection and bringing back student resource officers.

“Taking away the cops from the school was a bad idea,” student Christina De Alejandro said. “At the time, it seemed like a good idea but now it’s coming back in our faces a little bit.”

Meanwhile, community activists with a group called the Violence Interrupters are supporting the student’s call to action.

“No kids that attend these high schools should ever have to worry about losing his or her life,” Tio Hardiman, president of Violence Interrupters, said. “Those types of crimes should not be happening in front of these schools anytime.”

CPS officials said the students here have a strong voice and they support how they’re choosing to use it.

CPS said grief counselors will be here all week. The walkout is expected to last about an hour.

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