Chicago Man Sentenced to 70 Years for Killing 14-Year-Old Boy in Indiana

Leonardo Nunez was sentenced after being convicted of fatally shooting Damien Abenante in Whiting, Indiana, in March 2024. The teenager was visiting relatives when he was killed.

A Chicago man has been sentenced to 70 years in prison for the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old boy in northwest Indiana.

Leonardo Nunez was sentenced Thursday, October 22, 2026, after being convicted in September of killing Damien Abenante, who was shot in Whiting on March 23, 2024.

Nunez received 60 years for murder, plus an additional 10 years for a firearm enhancement, according to ABC7 Chicago.

Teen Was Visiting Family When He Was Shot
Damien was visiting relatives in Whiting to celebrate a birthday. He was walking with family members and friends near LaPorte Avenue and Ohio Avenue when he was shot in the chest.

Police responded to the area and found the teenager with a gunshot wound. He was taken to St. Catherine Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The shooting devastated Damien’s family. His mother, Amanda Abenante, previously told ABC7 that she was heartbroken by the loss of her son.

Investigation Led to Nunez
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses as they worked to identify the person responsible.

According to court records summarized by local reporting, witnesses told investigators that Nunez had been involved in a dispute with Damien before the shooting. Authorities also examined video footage and other evidence connecting Nunez to the case.

Nunez was arrested in Chicago in May 2024, nearly two months after Damien was killed. He was subsequently charged with murder and later convicted.

Family Left to Grieve
Damien’s death left his loved ones facing the loss of a teenager whose life was cut short while he was visiting family.

The 70-year sentence includes the murder term and the additional firearm enhancement. Prosecutors said the sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime, although no prison term can undo the family’s loss.

Source: ABC7 Chicago — Man Sentenced in Murder of Chicago Teen Shot in Whiting, Indiana