Family, Friends Mourn Port Tunnel Worker Shot Dead For His Cell Phone
MIAMI (CBS4) - Family and coworkers of Port Miami Tunnel worker Jerry Sherrell will pay their respects at a viewing Friday afternoon.
Sherrell was killed Monday night, walking home from buying cigarettes, in what Miami Police say was a robbery attempt to take his cellphone.
His daughter, Wyona Weeden told CBS4's Brian Andrews the two teenagers accused of the crime didn't take his phone or the cash he had in his pocket.
"They left it. It's like they killed my Dad for nothing," she said.
Police took one of the boys into custody after a short chase in the minutes after the shooting. That 16 year old led Police to identify his 14-year old accused accomplice, whom Weeden said pulled the trigger.
"He was 14," she said. "The police didn't tell me much more beyond that except he's been in a lot of trouble before."
Weeden went on to say Police told her the 14 year old was wanted on an open warrant for another robbery. Both teenagers could be charged with first degree murder as adults when the Miami-Dade County Grand Jury hands up indictments, as early as next week, Weeden, who flew to South Florida from Booneville, Arkansas, says she spoke to her 3 hours before he died.
"He told me that he loved me. He couldn't wait to get home. He was coming home on Friday and leaving Miami for good. He bought his granddaughter a car for her 16th Birthday and he was bringing it to her. He was going to be at home on Sunday for her Birthday," she said with tears in her eyes. Weeden said her father Jerry loved to fish and loved his family.
"He'd help take care of my grandma who is sick. She is dying of cancer at home right now, she has 3 months to live. And he helped support her," she said.
Jerry had been working on the Port Tunnel project for the last year and a half. His daughter said he liked Miami, but found life in the "Magic City" to be very fast paced.
"He couldn't wait to get home," she said.
His family is planning to bury him at a cemetery down the street from the family home in Booneville. Weeden said she is working on finding forgiveness in her heart for the two boys Police say committed her Dad's killing.
"I have to forgive these boys, because they didn't have any mercy on my Dad, and I have to show them mercy, and I feel bad for their families because I know they're losing their sons, just like I lost my Dad."
