Most of the interviewees lived in the Little Village neighborhood, the same area where Raul Segura, one of Ibarra's purported crew members, lived.
One gang member, who seemed eager to talk to me, said he belonged to the "two six street gang". But after Ibarra was shot and killed, all communication stopped.
I had planned to ask the men of dubious distinction, detailed questions about how they became involved in gangs. I wanted to know what their parents and loved ones thought about their lifestyle. Hardball questions about the Mexican Drug Cartel and the Chicago police department were also on my agenda.
The same day Ibarra was shot, and before news of the double murder in Edgewater spread throughout the city, a few subjects said they were still willing to talk me.
Apparently, they changed their minds, because I am still waiting.
Why do you think they refused to talk once Mr. Ibarra was killed? Do you have any theories?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure. This was no ambush-styled interview. They all knew what I wanted to talk about and agreed to answer my questions.
ReplyDeleteHowever, there was one guy who toyed with me for a few days, then proclaimed that "real gangsters" don't talk to "reporters".
If I had to make an educated guess, I think they had second thoughts about discussing the Mexican cartel.
Very scary thoughts. Thanks very much for your response and your reporting. Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteThat would have been such a GREAT story Timothy! Was this suppose to be a face to face meeting or a phone call kinda meeting? While I don't like the "philosophy" of these gangs, I have talked to a few gang members, with respect, and I have gotten respect back from them. I found them to be pretty nice actually. I didn't want to know anything, I just asked them if they could stop blocking the sidewalk and why they were throwing trash on the streets. They were very kind to me. Probably because they thought this "older" white woman with white hair was crazy...
ReplyDeleteTowanda, you have no idea how much I was looking forward to that interview. The Q&A was supposed to take place over the phone, and I even provided them with my list of questions.
ReplyDeleteThe other day, someone left an interesting comment on my post entitled, Arturo Ibarra, slain suspect in Edgewater..."
The commenter said Ibarra had Chicago police officers on his "payroll".