Family And Friends Honor Murdered Teen Youth Leader With Music
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Ten. That's the number of children in Baltimore murdered this year. Michael Mayfield was one of those killed for no reason.
Marcus Washington reports family and friends are remembering his death by pushing to honor local teens.
Nearly four months ago, Perkins Square Baptist Church was filled with family and friends of slain 17-year-old Michael Mayfield.
Now, in that very church, they're celebrating Mayfield's legacy in song.
"The whole purpose is to raise funds and contribute to a scholarship fund that was made in his honor," said Emmanuel Grogan, victim's friend.
With money raised from Sunday night's concert, scholarships will be awarded to local students in honor of Mayfield.
"It's a good feeling knowing your cousin, your little cousin, had an effect on so many people, not just in Baltimore, but around the world," said cousin Andre Baldwin.
In April, Mayfield was one of three kids in Baltimore killed within an eight day period. His murder is believed to be a case of mistaken identity.
"I didn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it," Grogan said.
Nearly four months to the day of his murder, and still, no arrest.
"There are other families like us who are still waiting to hear from the police about who killed their loved one," said Baldwin.
Instead of sitting in sorrow, family and friends of Mayfield are paying it forward with music.
And while it doesn't make it easier to deal with the teen's murder, it does allow them to honor others and know that Mayfield's death was not in vain.
"We shouldn't have to celebrate one's life and legacy through death. We should be able to do that through life," Grogan said.
Event organizers say at least 200 people attended the concert.
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