Overview

• An autopsy found Elijah Flores, 9, died of multiple blunt-force head injuries sustained in a fall down station stairs during an assault, leading officials to rule his death a homicide.
• Surveillance and a police report say Elijah exited a Green Line train with 22-year-old companion Jonah Soria around 11:15 a.m. on Aug. 10 when a dispute with two men escalated.
• As the group moved off the platform, one man struck Soria in the back with an object, causing Soria and Elijah to tumble down the stairwell, where Elijah suffered a skull fracture.
• Elijah was treated at Lurie Children’s Hospital, was later declared brain dead, and was pronounced dead on Aug. 16; his family proceeded with organ donation and held a Hero Walk.
• Police say the two men fled and no arrests have been made, while the CTA offered condolences and is assisting the investigation as the family publicly appeals for information.