A heartbreaking incident shook the Portage Park neighborhood this week. Edith Castrejon, a 35-year-old mother, was tragically shot inside her home early Thursday morning. Edith, who was five months pregnant, was in a bedroom with her boyfriend, Robert Pasco, at their home on the 5800 block of West Newport Avenue when the tragedy occurred.
According to police reports, the shooting happened around 4:50 a.m. Robert told officers that the gun was under a pillow on their bed, and he believed Edith tried to move it. That’s when the gun went off, hitting her in the chest.
Edith was rushed to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where doctors worked desperately to save her baby. The baby was delivered at 5:48 a.m., but the situation remained dire, with doctors giving the newborn just a 25% chance of survival. Despite their efforts, Edith was pronounced dead at 6:24 a.m. The Cook County medical examiner’s office later confirmed her death was a homicide.
Police recovered a handgun and a bullet at the scene. Robert, 42, who is a convicted felon, now faces charges related to the firearm. He’s been charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon by a convicted felon and a misdemeanor for possessing a firearm without a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification card. A judge released him from custody on Saturday under the condition that he reports to probation and surrenders all firearms and weapons. His next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.
Edith’s death leaves her family and the community devastated. She was a loving mother to three other children, aged 12, 10, and under a year old. Ald. Ruth Cruz shared how deeply this loss has impacted everyone, describing Edith as a devoted mother and a significant part of her community.
A GoFundMe campaign set up in Edith’s memory paints a picture of her as a hardworking woman, loved by many as a sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. By Saturday afternoon, the campaign had raised over $2,900 of its $6,500 goal to support her children and family during this unimaginable time.
The Portage Park neighborhood mourns the loss of a mother taken too soon, and Edith’s story has left many grappling with questions of safety, love, and the fragility of life.
