Crime & Safety

Ex-Boyfriend Charged with Murder in Romeoville Teen's Death

A 23-year-old Cicero man is now charged with murder in the death of a Romeoville teenager.

Erick Maya, of the 5600 block of Central Park Avenue, is also charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon in the Feb. 13 crime.

The murder charge was added after the death of 15-year-old Romeoville High School freshman Briana Valle, who died days after she and her mother were shot as they sat in a vehicle outside their home in the 300 block of Emery Avenue.

Police allege that Maya walked up to the passenger side of the vehicle, shooting Valle twice in the head at point-blank range. He then shot her mother, 33, once in the neck. The mother reportedly remains in good condition at Loyola University Medical Center.

Police said Maya was a former boyfriend of the murdered teen. Court records show that in December, the teen's mother took out an emergency order of protection against Maya in Will County.


Maya appeared in court in Joliet via closed-circuit video Tuesday, pleading not guilty to all charges. He remains in custody at the Will County jail on $5 million bond.

Maya's next court date is a March 11 preliminary hearing.

Fundraiser in the works

A GoFundMe account has been established for the family of the teen and her mother, and a fundraiser event is in the planning stages.

Anna Little-Maloney, who launched the GoFundMe site, said donations including gift cards (grocery stores, gas stations, etc.) are also being collected for the family at Brother's Home Plate, 203 W. Romeo Rd. in Romeoville.

Donors can also contact Little-Maloney at 815-219-6870.

Businesses and individuals willing to donate auction items for the fundraiser event should contact Romeoville resident Petra Burgess at 815-372-9260.

Check back with Patch for details on the fundraiser.


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