East Busway Shooting Victim Remembered At Candlelight Vigil
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Following the arrest of a 16-year-old in connection with a robbery and fatal shooting along the East Busway last week, a candlelight vigil was held to remember the victim.
Jordan Bey of Homewood is now charged in the death of 21-year-old Omar Islam. His body was found at a bus shelter in North Homewood.
And dozens gathered in that same spot Tuesday night to mourn and remember Islam.
Those who knew Islam best say he brought light to everyone he met.
"He stood for courage, that's why he's not here right now," said DeAndre Gardener, Islam's friend. "He's a strong, smart, intelligent individual that meant the world to me."
As soon as loved ones learned about the arrest of the first suspect, they started organizing the vigil at the very spot where Islam tried to get away from the gunman.
"Shooting somebody like that, specifically after being shot in the leg first, you could be able to obtain anything you want after that," said Samir Islam, the victim's brother. "That person's mobility just decreased dramatically and then to execute someone like that is just terrible."
Islam was involved in community organizations, he helped elderly neighbors and mentored young children, and now he's become another murder victim in a community that can't understand why.
"How many of our young kids do we have to lose before something is done? How many?" said Lysandra Soto, a friend of the victim. "His precious life is gone forever."
"I'm really hurt by this," added Yvette Wynn, Islam's cousin. "I really love him to death and I just hope that they catch the three who did this."
Two other suspects remain at large. They are 20-year-old Desmond Young and another man only known by his street name, "Blue."
RELATED LINKS:
Boy, 16, Arrested In Fatal East Busway Shooting (10/15/13)
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