[Southsider2k12]

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/long-...-125039839.html

Friends and classmates of a Chicago-area high school senior were tight-lipped Tuesday evening as they walked into a service to pray for a teen left on life support after a brawl on an Indiana beach.

The 17-year-old, who NBC Chicago is not publicly naming, was caught up in a fight Monday on Long Beach, just northeast of Michigan City, Ind. There's word the clash may have erupted over an ethnic slur related to Independence Day and that the teen was trying to quell the violence.

"They taught their son to be a peacemaker," said neighbor and family friend Peg Sullivan outside St. Barnabas Church, at 10134 S. Longwood Ave., in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood.

She said the boy's parents were very involved in his life. Another neighbor said family members are all in Indiana.

The incident reportedly occurred at a section of beach known as "Stop 26," a location notorious for underage drinking, especially on Independence Day.

Authorities confirmed Tuesday that there is an ongoing investigation, but details of exactly what happened have not yet come out.

On her way into the Long Beach Police Department on Tuesday, one female said she witnessed the fight on the beach over the holiday weekend. But on her way out of the office, she'd changed her talkative ways, apparently advised to not speak publicly about the case.

"I have to go, I'm sorry," the woman said.

Other apparent witnesses were also seen entering the building to provide their accounts of what transpired on the beach.

Word spread about the incident through social media, with one Facebook page for the Mount Carmel lacrosse team requesting prayers for the victim.

A neighbor said the victim was an only child. His father is a firefighter and his mother is a vision and hearing screener for Chicago Public Schools who has, for years, volunteered her services at St. Barnabas Elementary, where the boy and many of his Mt. Carmel classmates attended school.



Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/long-...l#ixzz1RHdLD2ZN

[ChickenCityRoller]

Until I read this story, it was my understanding that the victim passed away Tuesday A.M. Still lots of hush hush around this one. So sad. Like someone said, you aren't a coward if you just walk away. One punch and so many lives wrecked.





Friends and classmates of a Chicago-area high school senior were tight-lipped Tuesday evening as they walked into a service to pray for a teen left on life support after a brawl on an Indiana beach.

The 17-year-old, who NBC Chicago is not publicly naming, was caught up in a fight Monday on Long Beach, just northeast of Michigan City, Ind. There's word the clash may have erupted over an ethnic slur related to Independence Day and that the teen was trying to quell the violence.

"They taught their son to be a peacemaker," said neighbor and family friend Peg Sullivan outside St. Barnabas Church, at 10134 S. Longwood Ave., in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood.

She said the boy's parents were very involved in his life. Another neighbor said family members are all in Indiana.

The incident reportedly occurred at a section of beach known as "Stop 26," a location notorious for underage drinking, especially on Independence Day.

Multimedia Authorities confirmed Tuesday that there is an ongoing investigation, but details of exactly what happened have not yet come out.

On her way into the Long Beach Police Department on Tuesday, one female said she witnessed the fight on the beach over the holiday weekend. But on her way out of the office, she'd changed her talkative ways, apparently advised to not speak publicly about the case.

"I have to go, I'm sorry," the woman said.

Other apparent witnesses were also seen entering the building to provide their accounts of what transpired on the beach.

Word spread about the incident through social media, with one Facebook page for the Mount Carmel lacrosse team requesting prayers for the victim.

A neighbor said the victim was an only child. His father is a firefighter and his mother is a vision and hearing screener for Chicago Public Schools who has, for years, volunteered her services at St. Barnabas Elementary, where the boy and many of his Mt. Carmel classmates attended school.



Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/12503...l#ixzz1RKkfxcHp

[Southsider2k12]

Yes, it is really strange how little is out there about this. I am interested to hear the details as they come out.

[ChickenCityRoller]

This intel is incorrect

[Southsider2k12]

This intel is incorrect

What part?

[Southsider2k12]

The teen has now died.

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Teen-...iana-Brawl.html

A Chicagoarea teenager, who had been on life support following an alleged brawl on an Indiana beach has died.

Kevin Kennelly, 17 of the 9900 Block of South Damen, was pronounced dead at 10:48 a.m. at the St. Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point by the Lake County, Indiana Coroner.

No cause of death was listed, and an autopsy has been scheduled.

An arrest warrant was issued Wednesday morning for a man who may have delivered a fatal blow.

James Kieffer Mallecek, 19, of Chicago, was charged with felony aggravated battery, involuntary manslaughter and battery Wednesday morning in Michigan City.

During hearing, Long Beach Police Chief Robert Sulkowski said Malecek hit Kennelly in the head during the fight.

The Long Beach Police Department issued a statement following the coroner's death release.




On July 4, 2011 at 11:50 PM the Long Beach Police Department responded to a call at the beach at stop 26 in reference to an unconscious male due to a battery. Officers arrived at 11:51PM and observed a male subject lying on the ground with several subjects standing around him. The victim was unconscious. LaPorte County EMS arrived and treated the victim. The victim was transported to St. Anthony Hospital in Michigan City, IN.

At 3:51 AM the Long Beach Police received a call from St. Anthony Hospital in Michigan City that his injuries were quite severe and that they were flying him out to St. Anthony Hospital in Crown Point.

The victim was pronounced dead at 10:48 AM July 6, 2011.



Friends and classmates of Kennelly's, who Tuesday evening attended a service to pray for the teen said he was a well-mannered student who's parents taught him non-violence. They said he was likely trying to break up the melee when he was hit.

"They taught their son to be a peacemaker," said neighbor and family friend Peg Sullivan outside St. Barnabas Church, at 10134 S. Longwood Ave., in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood.

She said the boy's parents were very involved in his life. Another neighbor said family members are all in Indiana.

The fatal incident occurred at a section of beach known as "Stop 26," a location notorious for underage drinking, especially on Independence Day.

Authorities confirmed Tuesday that there is an ongoing investigation, but details of exactly what happened have not yet come out.

On her way into the Long Beach Police Department on Tuesday, one female said she witnessed the fight on the beach over the holiday weekend but didn't elaborate.

Other apparent witnesses were also seen entering the building to provide their accounts of what transpired on the beach.

Word spread about the incident through social media, with one Facebook page for the Mount Carmel lacrosse team requesting prayers for the victim.

A neighbor said the victim was an only child. His father is a firefighter and his mother is a vision and hearing screener for Chicago Public Schools who has, for years, volunteered her services at St. Barnabas Elementary, where the boy and many of his Mt. Carmel classmates attended school.

According to a Mt. Carmel High School posting, Kennelly will be buried during a weekend service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Kevin’s name to Mount Carmel High School.



Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Teen-...l#ixzz1RN1DfXIU

[Southsider2k12]

A few more details from the Sun Times.

http://www.suntimes.com/6370693-417/beverl...iana-beach.html

A 17-year-old boy from Chicago’s Beverly community, severely beaten in a Fourth of July brawl at an Indiana beach, has died from his injuries, authorities said.

A 19-year-old Chicago man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, felony aggravated battery and battery in connection with the teen’s death, authorities said.

Kevin Kennelly, of the 9900 block of South Damen Avenue, was pronounced dead at 10:48 a.m. Wednesday at St. Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point, Ind., an investigator with the Lake County (Ind.) medical examiner’s office said.

An autopsy is to be held Thursday to determine the cause of death.

Kennelly had intervened in a fight on a beach in Long Beach, Ind., on Monday evening, police said.

An arrest warrant has been issued for James Kieffer Malecek, of Chicago, in connection with Kennelly’s death. Malecek was charged with felony aggravated battery, involuntary manslaughter and battery Wednesday morning at the Superior Courthouse in Michigan City, Ind., Chief Deputy Prosecutor Robert Neary said.

A $25,000 cash bond was attached to Malecek’s warrant, which was approved by Judge Steven King, Neary said. Malecek would have to post that amount if he is arrested.

During the warrant hearing, Long Beach Police Chief Robert Sulkowski testified that Malecek hit Kennelly in the head during the fight.

A phone call to the Kennelly home was not immediately returned Wednesday.

Kennelly attended Mount Carmel High School, where he would have been a senior this coming school year. He played for the varsity baseball team this past spring.

His father, also named Kevin, is a Chicago firefighter who survived a fall in a burning building in 2009.

Kennelly graduated from St. Barnabas Grade School. He and his family are parishioners at St. Barnabas Catholic Church in Beverly, where a prayer service was held Tuesday night, the Rev. William Malloy said.

“About 500 people were here for a prayer service. He was well-liked, absolutely, and he’s a leader with many, many friends. Most of the 500 were young people. It was a beautiful ceremony,” Malloy said.

The Mount Carmel lacrosse team posted a request for prayers on its Facebook page even though Kennelly was not a member of the team.

“We support everybody in our Mount Carmel family,” lacrosse coach David Ho said. “Our prayers and thoughts are with (the Kennelly family).”

[bandaid19]

Why isn't this covered in our newspaper? I know they're FIPs, but underage drinking is a big issue in this area.

[CaddyRich]

Why isn't this covered in our newspaper? I know they're FIPs, but underage drinking is a big issue in this area.

Don't worry - the first time two starving artists get into a tussle over the difference between Burnt Umber and Ocher, it will make the front page. But seriously, my condolences go out to this young man's family.

[Southsider2k12]

Why isn't this covered in our newspaper? I know they're FIPs, but underage drinking is a big issue in this area.

There was very little information in the initial reports. Hopefully that was the major issue. I'm sure it will be on the front page today.

[ChickenCityRoller]

Why isn't this covered in our newspaper? I know they're FIPs, but underage drinking is a big issue in this area.

You do know that FIP stands for "Funding Indiana Students," right?



I could care less about the underage drinking. It's the behavior that worries me.





word is that the victims friends DID NOT call the police or 911. It was 30-45 minutes after he was hit that a local "kid" came across this scene in horror and got on her cell phone.

[Ang]

This is a very sad situation. I am very sorry for the friends and family of this young man, and I hope they catch the kid that did this and justice is swift.

Unfortunately, this is just going to make the problems between "us" and the "FIPS" worse. These were not local people, but in the news it makes LB seem like a bad place, when in fact, the people involved were all from out of town. I have a feeling this event is going to open a whole 'nother can of worms related to "out of towners"

So very sad in so many ways....

[Southsider2k12]

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/07/07/sus...rns-himself-in/

LONG BEACH, Ind. (CBS) – A 19-year-old man charged in the beating death of a Beverly teenager at a beach in northwest Indiana has turned himself in to police.

James Malecek, 19, turned himself in at the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department at about 12:30 p.m. Thursday, according to Sheriff’s Dept. Maj. Gary Broling. Malecek was accompanied by his attorney.

He had been wanted on an arrest warrant, charged with involuntary manslaughter, aggravated battery, and battery in the death of Kevin Kennelly Jr., 17, of the 9900 block of South Damen Avenue. The arrest warrant for Malecek carried a $25,000 bond. Police said it was expected he would post bond later Thursday.

Kennelly died Wednesday morning, two days after police found him unconscious at the beach in Long Beach, Ind., surrounded by a group of people.

Police said Kennelly intervened in a fight on the beach on Monday. Malecek allegedly hit Kennelly in the head during the fight.

Kennelly initially was taken to St. Anthony Hospital in Michigan City, and was later flown to St. Anthony Hospital in Crown Point, due to the severity of his injuries. He died there at about 11 a.m. Wednesday.

An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday to determine the cause of death.

Kennelly attended Mount Carmel High School, where he would have been a senior this fall and where was on the varsity baseball and soccer teams.

His father, Kevin Sr., is a Chicago Fire Department captain who survived a fall in May 2009, when a set of stairs collapsed under him and another firefighter while battling a fire in the Englewood neighborhood.

According to the Mt. Carmel website, visitation for Kevin Jr. will be held from 4 p.m to 8 p.m. on Friday at Mount Carmel Convocation Center, 6410 S. Dante Av.

A funeral will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Barnabas Parish, 10134 S. Longwood Dr., followed by burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kevin’s name to Mount Carmel High School.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...2b738293090.txt

Teen dies after alleged July 4 battery

Police seek 19-year-old suspect
By Amanda Jacobson
Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, July 7, 2011 5:22 PM CDT
LONG BEACH — A 17-year-old Chicago-area teen was pronounced dead at 10:48 a.m. Wednesday at Franciscan St. Anthony Health in Crown Point after he was injured in a battery incident at Stop 26 on Lake Shore Drive on July 4.

The teen, Kevin Kennelly Jr., was placed on life support following the incident. Police listed his address as 2509 Roslyn Trail, Long Beach, and 9951 S. Damon Ave., Chicago.

According to Long Beach police, at 11:50 p.m. July 4, the Long Beach Police Department responded to a call about an unconscious male on the beach. Officers arrived at 11:51 p.m. and saw Kennelly lying on the ground with multiple people standing around him.

La Porte County Emergency Medical Services arrived and treated the teen, who was taken to Franciscan St. Anthony Health in Michigan City.

*
At 3:51 a.m., the Long Beach Police Department received a call from St. Anthony that, due to the extent of Kennelly’s injuries, he would be flown to St. Anthony in Crown Point for treatment.

According to NBC Chicago News, the altercation was apparently triggered by an ethnic slur having to do with Independence Day.

In a news release, Long Beach Chief Marshal Robert Sulkowski said a warrant has been issued for suspect James K. Malecek, 19, Chicago, a Korean man charged Wednesday with Class B felony aggravated battery, and Class C felonies of involuntary manslaughter and battery. Police were searching for Malecek on Wednesday, but he was not in custody at press time.

Kennelly was a Mount Carmel High School senior and the only child of a Chicago firefighter and Chicago public-school employee, according to television reports.

Alcohol also was said to be a contributing factor in the incident, but no further details have been released as to its influence on the suspect or the victim.

The Long Beach Police Department is asking the public to come forward with any information regarding the case by calling 874-4243. The investigation is ongoing, and no further details have been released at this time.

[JudithW]

Why isn't this covered in our newspaper? I know they're FIPs, but underage drinking is a big issue in this area.

Jesus H. Christ.

[Southsider2k12]

http://heraldargus.com/articles/2011/07/08...c4702481518.txt

Police: Teen, 17, died from single punch

By Julie McClure and Tim Moran
Staff Writers
Published: Friday, July 8, 2011 5:06 PM CDT
LONG BEACH — The altercation that led to the death of Kevin Kennelly Jr., 17, involved a single punch, not a brawl or melee, on the beach, Long Beach Chief Robert Sulkowski said Thursday.

"It was not a brawl. It was one punch to the victim," Sulkowski said, adding he continued to interview witnesses Thursday to determine what happened at Stop 26 on Lake Shore Drive in Long Beach on July 4 when Kennelly was found lying unconscious on the ground and surrounded by a group of people.

James "Jake" Kieffer Malecek, 19, Chicago, whose family has a home in Long Beach, turned himself in at the La Porte County Sheriff's Department at about 12:25 p.m. Thursday. Malecek is charged with Class B felony aggravated battery and Class C felony involuntary manslaughter and battery in Kennelly's death.

According to Long Beach police, Kennelly, of 2509 Roslyn Trail, Long Beach, and 9951 S. Damon Ave., Chicago, was injured in a battery incident reported at 11:50 p.m. at Stop 26 on Lake Shore Drive on July 4. He initially was taken to Franciscan St. Anthony Health — Michigan City and later flown to Franciscan St. Anthony Health — Crown Point, where he was on life support. He was pronounced dead at 10:48 a.m. Wednesday at the Crown Point hospital.

Malecek turned himself in accompanied by his attorney, and bond was set at $25,000, according to Maj. Gary Broling of the Sheriff's Department. He was released Thursday after posting bail. Malecek will make his initial court appearance at 8:30 a.m. July 14 in La Porte Superior Court 1, with Judge Steven E. King presiding.

Court affidavits filed in La Porte Superior 1 accuse Malecek of punching Kennelly in the head during the July 4 altercation, causing Kennelly's brain death.

According to Sulkowski, Long Beach police responded to a call about an unconscious male on the beach at 11:50 p.m. July 4. When officers arrived at 11:51 p.m., they saw Kennelly lying on the ground with multiple people standing around him.

Sulkowski said witnesses have been giving conflicting statements of what happened, but the crazy rumors going around about the incident are untrue.

NBC Chicago News reported that the altercation was triggered by an ethnic slur having to do with Independence Day. There has been no confirmation from police about reports that Kennelly was attempting to break up a fight when the punch occurred.

About 20 people were present when the altercation took place, Sulkowski said, adding he did not believe the victim and the suspect knew each other prior to the incident. The group of people gathered at Stop 26 consisted of different age groups — some teens, some adults, some young adults.

"It was not a melee on the beach," he said. "They were down at the stops — groups sit at different stops and have bonfires and talk and socialize."

On Thursday, the Lake County coroner ruled that Kennelly's death was a homicide. Sulkowski said he had reviewed the case with prosecutors and went with the charges as filed, as "there was no intent to do this," he said.

Area residents were still in shock Thursday afternoon, a day after Kennelly was pronounced dead.

"Normally, Long Beach is a peaceful and calm place, so I was very surprised when I heard about it," Michigan City resident Brandon Lambert said while visiting a friend at Stop 26 on Thursday afternoon.

City resident Megan Nilson said in the past, she has usually attended Washington Park beach, but recently began spending time at the Long Beach stop because "no one is there.

"That makes it even more surprising that something like that would happen at Stop 26 of all places," she said.

Michelle Linn officially lives in Hinsdale, Ill., but spent the Fourth of July this year with her family at their lake house at Stop 25.

"It's awful," she said. "I was surprised because we did not see or hear a single thing that day.

"There were a lot of kids down on the beach. But I don't remember hearing an ambulance or fire trucks. We did not even know it happened until a friend back home told us about it the next day."

Kennelly was a pitcher in his first season on the varsity baseball team as a junior at Mount Carmel High School in Illinois. He also played on the school's soccer team. According to a Mount Carmel High School online posting, Kennelly will be buried during a weekend service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to Mount Carmel High School.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...d0955385863.txt

Police: Teen, 17, died from single punch

Stop 26 in Long Beach. Photo by Tim Moran
By Julie McClure and Tim Moran
Staff Writers
Published: Friday, July 8, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
LONG BEACH — The altercation that led to the death of Kevin Kennelly Jr., 17, involved a single punch, not a brawl or melee, on the beach, Long Beach Chief Robert Sulkowski said Thursday.

“It was not a brawl. It was one punch to the victim,” Sulkowski said, adding he continued to interview witnesses Thursday to determine what happened at Stop 26 on Lake Shore Drive in Long Beach on July 4 when Kennelly was found lying unconscious on the ground and surrounded by a group of people.

James “Jake” Kieffer Malecek, 19, Chicago, whose family has a home in Long Beach, turned himself in at the La Porte County Sheriff’s Department at about 12:25 p.m. Thursday. Malecek is charged with Class B felony aggravated battery and Class C felony involuntary manslaughter and battery in Kennelly’s death.

According to Long Beach police, Kennelly, of 2509 Roslyn Trail, Long Beach, and 9951 S. Damon Ave., Chicago, was injured in a battery incident reported at 11:50 p.m. at Stop 26 on Lake Shore Drive on July 4. He initially was taken to Franciscan St. Anthony Health – Michigan City and later flown to Franciscan St. Anthony Health – Crown Point, where he was on life support. He was pronounced dead at 10:48 a.m. Wednesday at the Crown Point hospital.

*
Malecek turned himself in accompanied by his attorney, and bond was set at $25,000, according to Maj. Gary Broling of the Sheriff’s Department. He was released Thursday after posting bail. Malecek will make his initial court appearance at 8:30 a.m. July 14 in La Porte Superior Court 1, with Judge Steven E. King presiding.

Court affidavits filed in La Porte Superior 1 accuse Malecek of punching Kennelly in the head during the July 4 altercation, causing Kennelly’s brain death.

According to Sulkowski, Long Beach police responded to a call about an unconscious male on the beach at 11:50 p.m. July 4. When officers arrived at 11:51 p.m., they saw Kennelly lying on the ground with multiple people standing around him.

Sulkowski said witnesses have been giving conflicting statements of what happened, but the crazy rumors going around about the incident are untrue.

NBC Chicago News reported that the altercation was triggered by an ethnic slur having to do with Independence Day. There has been no confirmation from police about reports that Kennelly was attempting to break up a fight when the punch occurred.

About 20 people were present when the altercation took place, Sulkowski said, adding he did not believe the victim and the suspect knew each other prior to the incident. The group of people gathered at Stop 26 consisted of different age groups – some teens, some adults, some young adults.

“It was not a melee on the beach,” he said. “They were down at the stops – groups sit at different stops and have bonfires and talk and socialize.”

On Thursday, the Lake County coroner ruled that Kennelly’s death was a homicide. Sulkowski said he had reviewed the case with prosecutors and went with the charges as filed, as “there was no intent to do this,” he said.

Area residents were still in shock Thursday afternoon, a day after Kennelly was pronounced dead.

“Normally, Long Beach is a peaceful and calm place, so I was very surprised when I heard about it,” Michigan City resident Brandon Lambert said while visiting a friend at Stop 26 on Thursday afternoon.

City resident Megan Nilson said in the past, she has usually attended Washington Park beach, but recently began spending time at the Long Beach stop because “no one is there.

“That makes it even more surprising that something like that would happen at Stop 26 of all places,” she said.

Michelle Linn officially lives in Hinsdale, Ill., but spent the Fourth of July this year with her family at their lake house at Stop 25.

”It’s awful,” she said. “I was surprised because we did not see or hear a single thing that day.

“There were a lot of kids down on the beach. But I don’t remember hearing an ambulance or fire trucks. We did not even know it happened until a friend back home told us about it the next day.”

Kennelly was a pitcher in his first season on the varsity baseball team as a junior at Mount Carmel High School in Illinois. He also played on the school’s soccer team. According to a Mount Carmel High School online posting, Kennelly will be buried during a weekend service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to Mount Carmel High School.

Teen’s death ruled a homicide

By Julie McClure

Staff Writer

CROWN POINT — Lake County Coroner Thomas Philpot on Thursday ruled the death of 17-year-old Kevin Kennelly Jr. a homicide.

On July 4, Kennelly, of 2509 Roslyn Trail, Long Beach, and 9951 S. Damon Ave., Chicago, was injured in an altercation in Long Beach near Stop 26 on Lake Shore Drive and died at 10:48 a.m. Wednesday at Franciscan St. Anthony Health – Crown Point.

The autopsy was conducted Thursday in Crown Point. Philpot’s ruling said Kennelly suffered blunt-force trauma to the head.

Probable cause affidavits filed in La Porte Superior Court 1 accuse James “Jake” Kieffer Malecek, 19, Chicago, of punching Kennelly in the head. Malecek is charged with Class B felony aggravated battery and Class C felonies of involuntary manslaughter and battery.

The Lake County coroner provided the autopsy results as Kennelly was pronounced dead in the hospital in Crown Point.

The aggravated battery count filed against Malecek accuses him of punching Kennelly in the head, causing brain death. The involuntary manslaughter count accuses Malecek of killing Kennelly while committing or attempting to commit battery. The battery charge accuses Malecek of striking Kennelly resulting in his death.

[ChickenCityRoller]

Jesus H. Christ.

I agree with your reaction, just object to the profanity.



The "FIP" comment was / is really ignorant.

[bandaid19]

I'm not sure where you live, so I don't know what your experiences are with the lake people... i.e. FIPs. It's okay if you disagree with my use of terminology, but my confusion/concern was:

even though these aren't "local" residents, or perhaps just people visiting for the holiday, why wasn't it covered for days in our local paper? I don't understand why time after time I have to read about incidents that happen down the road from me as reported in the NWITimes or the South Bend Tribune before they're reported in the N-D or Herald Argus.

I agree with your reaction, just object to the profanity.



The "FIP" comment was / is really ignorant.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...f2060809471.txt

Tapes of 911 calls from Long Beach incident released

By Amanda Jacobson
Staff Writer
Published: Monday, July 11, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
LONG BEACH — Tapes of two 911 calls made to La Porte County's 911 center the night that 17-year-old Kevin Kennelly Jr.'s suffered a head injury that led to his death were released this weekend.

A young woman, self-identified as Caroline, made one of the calls from her cell phone at Stop 26 on Long Beach near Michigan City.

The young woman told the emergency operator she had seen Kennelly lying on the beach with blood coming out of his nose. He was breathing, she said, but she did not know where his attacker went. All she knew was someone punched Kennelly in the head and had run away.

"It's to the right on the beach," she said during the call. "Someone needs to come A.S.A.P., please."

Click here to find out more!
The second call, by an anonymous young woman, was in response to the teen's unconscious condition. The caller told police Kennelly was lying on his side and choking on vomit due to alleged heavy alcohol consumption.

The caller reported that Kennelly was "very much so" intoxicated, and that no one else who witnessed the incident was willing to call the police because he was underage.

"He's had way too much to drink," the caller told the 911 dispatcher.

After a few moments, the caller said Kennelly was coughing up blood in addition to choking.

The caller said she did not know the young man, but that she wanted to get an ambulance for him. Shortly after the call was placed, the young woman told the 911 operator that police had arrived at the scene.

Kevin Kennelly Jr. was placed on life support following an altercation at Stop 26 on Long Beach on July 4, according to Long Beach Police. Police listed his address as 2509 Roslyn Trail, Long Beach, and 9951 S. Damon Ave., Chicago.

According to Long Beach police, at 11:50 p.m. July 4, the Long Beach Police Department responded to a call about an unconscious male on the beach. Officers arrived at 11:51 p.m. and saw Kennelly lying on the ground with multiple people standing around him.

La Porte County Emergency Medical Services arrived and treated the teen, who was taken to Franciscan St. Anthony Health in Michigan City.

At 3:51 a.m. July 5, the Long Beach Police Department received a call from St. Anthony that, due to the extent of Kennelly’s injuries, he would be flown to St. Anthony in Crown Point for treatment.

According to NBC Chicago News, the altercation was apparently triggered by an ethnic slur having to do with Independence Day.

A warrant was issued for suspect James K. Malecek, 19, Chicago, a Korean man charged July 7 with a Class B felony of aggravated battery and Class C felonies of involuntary manslaughter and battery.

Malecek turned himself into the LaPorte County Sheriff's Office at 12:30 p.m. on July 8. He was released at about 3 p.m. July 8 on a cash bail of $25,000, and his court date is scheduled for July 14.

Long Beach Chief Robert Sulkowski said Thursday that Kennelly's head injury was caused by a single punch and there was no brawl or melee on the beach. Lake County Coroner Thomas Philpot ruled Thursday that Kennelly's death was a homicide, caused by blunt-force trauma to the head. Lake County is handling the coroner's investigation as Kennelly died in Crown Point.

Kennelly was a Mount Carmel High School senior and the only child of a Chicago firefighter and Chicago public-school employee, according to television reports.

The funeral for Kennelly was Saturday morning at St. Barnabas church in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood, where friends and family mourned his loss.