Hundreds Gather To Remember Teen Shot During Fourth Of July Barbecue
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- More than 200 people gathered for a vigil Tuesday night in South Philadelphia to remember the 16 year old killed at fourth of July weekend barbecue.
"We know who it is okay-- so we need to resolve this now," yelled Syreeta Wood stood in front yard of her Grays Ferry home. She spoke to the crowd of friends, family and others who stood in front of a memorial of candles, signs and photos of Asir Brown.
"This-- this was not meant for my nephew," Wood told the crowd.
Brown, 16, died a few dozen feet from the vigil. Philadelphia Police say he was in the backyard of his aunt's home in the 1800 block of S. 31st Street when a dark-colored vehicle rolled in the back driveway. They say someone from the rear fired gun shots.
"They took something from us-- and not just from a mother and father, but from the entire community," says Willie Buckner, Brown's stepfather. He says his wife Summer Wood, is devastated.
"That was her only son," he says, "he wasn't an angel by any means-- but we moved all the way to the Northeast to get him off the streets."
Buckner says Brown was a junior at Olney Charter High School and a star athlete on the South Philadelphia Hurricanes football team. He says Asir was popular and much-loved by his family. And even with his brief skirmish with trouble, he was on the road to something better.
"He had talent," says Buckner, "he was going somewhere."
His former football coach James Harris says he worked with Asir for eight years.
"He was a good kid," says Harris, "it's just these streets-- we have to do something about it."
He says he was at the barbecue 20 minutes before the shooting. Witnesses say eight other kids were standing nearby when bullets began flying Sunday night. Days later, broken glass and bullet holes remain.
"He was like a son to me," says Harris.
"He always spoke to me in the neighborhood-- he was a good young 'bol," says one young man who attended the vigil.
But what can be done?? The community gathered. They lit candles. They released balloons. They called Asir's name and demanded an end to the violence.
"Only we can stop this," Syreeta Wood told the crowd, "forget no snitching-- snitch up!"
"Everybody's in jeopardy," says Jeff Singletary, who lives next door, "people across the street-- everybody."
As of July 5th, police statistics report Philadelphia is home to 132 homicides, including Asir Browns. Unfortunately, there will likely be more.
"We do this every year, every summer," Wood told the crowd, "it's time to stop."
Police are still looking for the gunman, and the community feels helpless.
There is a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Asir Brown's killler. If you have any information, contact Philadelphia Police.
The Brown/Wood family is collecting money for Asir's funeral. To donate, email syreetaw81@gmail.com.
He will be buried on Thursday.
