Family Of Dorchester Shooting Victim Urges Killer To Come Forward
BOSTON (CBS) - Boston Police continue their search for the gunman who ambushed a 17-year-old student outside Jeremiah Burke High School in Dorchester. The victim, Raekwon Brown, was a junior at the school and police say an exchange of words may have led to the confrontation.
Fellow students hung a poster of "Rae's World" with pictures of the victim at the scene of the shooting, just steps from the school. They say he was known for his smile, not the outbreak of violence that claimed his life.
Related: Police, Clergy Demand Information After Shooting
"All his friends would come home to hang with him. He was the puzzle piece that brought everybody together," said his sister Latasha Allen describing her brother as a "home" kid who wasn't involved with trouble on the streets.
Bullets flew in the early afternoon during the school day and his family is still searching for answers. "From what I'm understanding a conversation went bad, an argument went bad. A conversation turned into this?," said his sister Patrice Velol standing near a memorial of flowers and balloons.
WBZ-TV's Katie Brace reports
Students comforted each other at the site of the shooting where two of Raekwon's cousins were also injured by bullets, including 17-year-old Eric McKoy whose mother says they were like brothers. "I want justice for both of them because it's not right, it's not fair," said Caranika Cooper.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Boston Police Commissioner Williams Evans and school Superintendent Tommy Chang came to the school to reassure students but frustrated with a lack of information from witnesses.
"We know there's students who know exactly what happened, unfortunately they're not coming forward," said Evans.
Raekwon Brown's family hopes his killer does the right thing. "Turn yourself in, just come and stand up and be a man because we're hurting," said his brother Stanley Wiggins.
Around 100 people gathered outside Sun Pizza for a vigil Thursday night.
Pastor William Dickerson of Greater Love Tabernacle led the group in prayer. "Father, we pray you bring peace," said Dickerson.
Brown's cousin shouted the family's anger. "He didn't deserve this. You're supposed to bury your mother not a mother bury her child."
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens Reports
WBZ-TV's Katie Brace contributed to this report.