Mother Of Newark Boy Shot To Death On Mother's Day Speaks Exclusively To 1010 WINS

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The parents of a teenage boy shot to death in a drive-by shooting in Newark on Mother's Day spoke exclusively to 1010 WINS' Rebecca Granet about the tragedy.

The shooting occurred during an annual festival marking the opening of the motorcycle season, called "Blessing of the Bikes."

The streets were packed with people, including families with children, when gunfire erupted at South 16th Street and 19th Avenue just before 8 p.m. Sunday.

More than 2,000 people were in attendance when witnesses said shots rang out, coming from two armed men on a four-wheeler, CBS2's Janelle Burrell reported.

One of the people at the event was 15-year-old high school football star Al-Shakeem Woodson.

"The guy started doing wheelies in the middle of the street," witness Keona Campbell said. "They both opened fire at that time."

"All I know is that he was a good kid...he did not deserve it," Woodson's heartbroken mother told Granet.

His parents went to the scene for the first time Monday and told Granet their son was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Campbell told CBS2 she watched in horror as the teen was gunned down right in front of her eyes.

"There was about eight to 12 shots that rang out," witness Campbell said. "The guy he ran, he fell on the ground and he was gone."

She said the boy was shot multiple times in the head and she performed CPR on him, trying desperately to save his life.

"I have children of my own, and if that was my baby, I would want someone to help him along," she said. "Two years ago, my brother was murdered on the streets of Newark. And I would hope that somebody would've helped my brother."

"By the time we got here last night he had already died," the boy's aunt, Tanika Zigler, said. "Mother's Day will never be the same for my sisters and I. Never."

Resident Katie Anderson, who lives along the festival route, said she has long-complained about the event, writing letters to Newark's mayor and police.

"I said, 'You're gonna have to have extra policemen out here because you never know what's going to happen,'" Anderson said. "I didn't hear from him [the mayor]."

Mayor Ras Baraka admits the city doesn't have enough police manpower for such a large event.

"After last night I think that there are somethings that need to change  to make sure that the mayor's office has a final say so on all large activities," Baraka said Monday. "Never again will a permit be issued in this city to have an event of that scale without the mayor's approval."

Woodson's family said they do not blame the mayor or police for his death, they simply want the gunmen caught, Burrell reported.

Three other people were wounded in the shooting and are expected to survive.

So far, no arrests have been made and there is no word on a motive.

A vigil will be held tonight for Woodson. His mother said she wants people to know her son was loved, Granet reported.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Major Crimes Task Force at (877) 847-7432 or (973) 621-4586.

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• Newark