A vigil was held for a 16-year-old boy who was shot and killed on a street corner on the Lower East Side by a group of teens Friday night.
Many have been coming and going stopping by the makeshift memorial where 16-year-old Raphael Ward was shot dead. Friends and family were too grief stricken to appear on camera but one friend did share memories of Raphael with Fox 5.
Around 9:00 p.m. Ward was shot and killed as he hung out with friends. Now more than 24 hours later, friends and family light candles in front of this convenience store on Rivington and Columbia and hold one another. Friends like Skyan who knew him from the local boys and girls club.
"Just him being funny and enjoying life while he had it," said Skyan thinking of good memories.
Known for his love of sports, Raphael played baseball and was a huge basketball fan. He also leaves behind a little brother.
"Yeah it's going to be hard for him. It will be hard for him to grow up," said an emotional Skyan.
Raphael lived nearby. A cousin who didn't want to appear on camera says the shooter was someone younger than Raphael. Published reports say this may have happened over a coat but police have not confirmed that. Regardless of the reason friends say they can't believe he's gone.
"He wasn't innocent but he was it was surprising to me." said Skyan.
State Senator Daniel Squadron said in a statement, "No parent should ever have to face the unspeakable tragedy of losing a child. We must continue to work together as a community to fight the scourge of gun violence and make our homes and our streets safer for our families."
Police have made no arrests at this time and their investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:51:22 GMT
Franklin Reyes, 17, was in court Wednesday. He is charged with the death of 4-year-old Ariel Russo.
Franklin Reyes, 17, was in court Wednesday. He is charged with the death of 4-year-old Ariel Russo. He is accused of driving without a license, then fleeing police, jumping a curb, and hitting Ariel and her grandmother as they were walking to school.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:13:39 GMT
The driver of the vehicle that left several people injured and a trail of destruction in the area of 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village has been arrested.
The driver of the vehicle that left several people injured and a trail of destruction in the area of 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village has been arrested.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:13 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:13:37 GMT
A father and son who admitted they were pimps have been acquitted in New York of sex trafficking after several prostitutes testified they were treated well.
A father and son who admitted they were pimps have been acquitted in New York of sex trafficking after several prostitutes testified they were treated well.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:07 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:07:13 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the morning rush.
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the morning rush. Crews have been working to repair tracks and switches after Monday's derailment.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:07 AM EDT2013-06-19 10:07:22 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:34:07 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:55:38 GMT
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village pleaded not guilty.
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village afterward claimed that he opened fire because the victim "thought he was tough in front of his bitch," prosecutors said in court papers Tuesday.
