The Glenview community is mourning the loss of 16‑year‑old Lilly Bova, a Glenbrook South High School sophomore who was fatally shot on the morning of March 28, 2026. Deputies from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office were called around 11 a.m. to her residence in the 3600 block of South Salem Walk in unincorporated Glenview, where they found her suffering from a gunshot wound.
Emergency responders performed CPR and rushed her to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, but she did not survive. Her death has left classmates, teachers, and neighbors devastated.
Friends describe Lilly as someone whose presence lit up every room she entered. Classmates said she was bubbly, warm, and effortlessly kind, the type of person others naturally gravitated toward. She had a quiet confidence that made people listen when she spoke, and she carried a gentle energy that made her widely loved at Glenbrook South. Students returning from spring break were met with grief counselors as the school community struggled to process the sudden loss.
Her family remembers her as a beautiful young woman with many interests and talents. Lilly loved fashion from a young age, a passion that grew as she got older. She was also learning to drive, excited about the independence that milestone would bring. Loved ones say she was thoughtful, creative, and deeply caring, someone who made an impact on others simply by being herself. Her death has left a profound void in the lives of those who knew her best.
Authorities have confirmed that the shooting occurred inside the apartment she shared with her older sister. Deputies responding to the scene found no signs of forced entry, and investigators have been working to determine the circumstances surrounding the gunfire. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office has stated that the case remains active, with detectives gathering evidence and interviewing individuals connected to the residence.
As of the latest updates, investigators are searching for a person of interest believed to have been present around the time of the shooting. Officials have not released additional details about that individual or the nature of their relationship to Lilly. Detectives continue to review surveillance footage, analyze forensic evidence, and follow leads as they work to piece together what happened inside the Salem Walk apartment.
The tragedy has shaken Glenview and the Glenbrook South community, prompting an outpouring of grief and remembrance. Friends have vowed to honor Lilly by carrying her energy, kindness, and love forward. As investigators continue their work, her family and community are left holding onto memories of a bright, talented young woman whose life was cut short far too soon.