Vigil Held To Mourn San Bernardino Boy Killed In Drive-By Shooting
SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com) — Family, friends and community members held a vigil Monday night outside a San Bernardino convenience store, where a 12-year-old boy was killed and his 14-year-old cousin was wounded in drive-by shooting.
Gunfire erupted just after 10 p.m. Sunday in the area of Love Lane and Orange Street, according to the San Bernardino Police Department.
Police said Jason Spears, 12, and his cousin, Terrance, 14, were walking to the Circle K on Highland Avenue to get snacks when someone in a car shot them.
Terrance was hit in the arm and leg. Jason did not make it as he collapsed in the store's parking lot.
"I still can't believe that he's gone. He was like a brother to me," Terrance said. "Why, why is he dead? Why did it have to happen? Whoever did this to my cousin and me; we will want justice."
Jason's mother collapsed when she saw the candles and flowers for her son.
"I wish I could just change back time and have my little cousin right beside me and tell him how much I love him, how much he means to me," Jason's cousin, Marquita Williams, said while in tears.
Elsa Castro said she was at Circle K when she heard gun shots and saw Jason hit the ground. "He collapsed right there. I turned him over, and he was bleeding from his chest," Castro said in tears. "I was shaking him to wake up. Just telling him to breathe, keep breathing baby boy. Don't go. Don't go."
She held him until paramedics arrived. But it was too late.
Shaunte Spears is Terrance's mother. "My nephew is dead at 12. My son is 14 - shot twice," she said. "Beautiful soul, beautiful heart. And his last words were: 'I don't want to die.'"
Jason is the 15th person killed in San Bernardino so far this year, compared to eight last year at this time, according to police.
San Bernardino police said they have seen a rise in crime this year, especially in gang areas, including the neighborhood where the boys were shot.
Shaunte said her son and his cousin were not involved in gangs. "I want something to be done. This is ridiculous. We live here. We have kids out here," she said.
Police said they have stepped up patrols but are frustrated because witnesses are hesitant to come forward with information that may help them solve crimes.
Anyone with information regarding the shootings is urged to contact the San Bernardino Police Department at (909) 384-5747.
The suspect was last seen driving a full-size, dark-colored SUV.
