Permanent Memorial To Be Put Up For Slain Modesto Teen
MODESTO (CBS13) – Community members are coming together in Modesto to erect a permanent memorial in honor of a slain teen.
A memorial bench and a colorful red bud tree will mark the spot where 18-year-old Tylor Crippen was stabbed to death in front of his girlfriend.
"We have our good days and our bad days. We're tying to keep moving forward and remember Tylor the best we can," stepdad Steve Hachey said.
The Modesto junior college student and his girlfriend were spending time at Creekwood Park in January just after 8 p.m. when police say a trio of gang members robbed Tylor. The teen was killed in cold blood as he tried to runaway.
Police quickly arrested three suspects, aged 18, 17 and 16.
"I believe he would be proud. He always wanted to serve and help out the community," said Hachey.
The family finds a glimmer of closure in swift support from strangers.
"It's really nice people are tying to help us out," Hachey said.
Community members have opened up their hearts and wallets to help foot the bill for the permanent memorial.
"We are going to have a bench angled so you can see the tree, so we can sit and reflect," said Hachey. "It's a place for us to sit to remember our son."
The family hopes to raise money for a scholarship fund to honor their son. They've created the Tylor Crippen Creekwood Park Foundation so people can donate to the cause.
