Funeral For Teen Killed In Dorchester Shooting 'Touches Our Hearts'
DORCHESTER (CBS) -- A funeral service was held Thursday for 17-year-old Raekwon Brown, the Jeremiah Burke High School student gunned down outside the school last week.
As his body arrived at the Charles St. AME Church in Roxbury family members held each other for support. His mother and father made the painful journey into the church that was packed with family and friends trying to understand why.
Funeral for Raekwon Brown this morning. Teen killed outside Burke high school last week.#wbz pic.twitter.com/3rIcjMDcVs
— Beth Germano (@BethWBZ) June 16, 2016
"He was a good kid, he didn't deserve to die like that," said Brown's cousin Teresa Coney.
"I know police are doing what they can but the public can do a lot too. They can come forward because they know," said his aunt Betty Coney.
"Black lives must matter to the black community"- Rev Dickerson at funeral for Raekwon Brown. Calls for healing. #wbz
— Beth Germano (@BethWBZ) June 16, 2016
The search continues for the killer, but it was a service of celebration for Brown also known as Ray Ray.
"He was a wonderful student, a good young man and very respectful," said a former teacher Karen Bynoe.
"Heaven and hell are on the same street." Funeral for Raekwon Brown who was killed outside Burke h.s. #wbz
— Beth Germano (@BethWBZ) June 16, 2016
Another teacher Zakiah Williams said Brown was so humble he'd be overwhelmed by the service. "He's looking down now in amazement," said Williams.
Brown's name was held aloft with balloons inside the church and his cousin held back tears trying to read a poem in his honor. "Though you walk through heaven's gate we're never far apart. Every time I think of you it's deep in my heart," read Damien Brown.
Horse and buggy carries body of Raekwon Brown.#wbz pic.twitter.com/9GTLRS4Ttt
— Beth Germano (@BethWBZ) June 16, 2016
It's unclear if Brown was targeted but his death has become a rallying cry. "If you're a gangbanger play the game with people that want to play the game. Leave innocent folks alone," said Rev. Dwayne Frazier of the Kingdom Movement Church who delivered the eulogy.
"This one really touches our hearts," said Boston Police Superintendent-In-Chief William Gross. "We all have children. We all know folks that have children. Seventeen, that's too young, and we ask for everyone's commitment to help make a change."
As the casket was loaded onto a horse drawn buggy, students formed a chain around the family for support. "We're all devastated, and if God is willing we'll get through it," said Brown's aunt Debbie Boykins.