A Queens community witnessed firsthand the pain of a mother’s loss on Monday night as she pleaded for her “baby” — 15-year-old Jaden Pierre, who was shot dead at a park last week.
All the while, local residents demanded that police quickly bring the suspect responsible for Pierre’s murder to justice before they find the shooter on their own.
Hundreds gathered in Roy Wilkins Park on April 20 and joined Shanelle Weston in her heart-wrenching grief. She broke down in tears during an emotional vigil for slain 15-year-old Jaden Pierre, whose uncle had described the slain teen as “just a regular kid ” one day earlier.
Residents of all ages packed themselves in the basketball court just off Merrick and Baisley Boulevards, mere steps away from where Pierre was beaten and shot during a water balloon fight gone awry on the night of April 16. Singers played gospel music as they honored the teen’s short life, sending those in the crowd into a tailspin of emotion.
Some could be seen weeping profusely and gripping and leaning onto one another for strength; others held hands and cried out in pain. Young mothers at the vigil wiped the eyes of their crying children, and seniors raised their hands to the heavens in an effort to make sense of the tragedy.
Meanwhile, Gardy Pierre, the slain teen’s father, took a microphone in his hand and declared his unconditional love for his son.
“I love you, Jaden, I love you with everything in me, my heart, my blood, my soul, everything from my head to my toes,” the grieving father said.
Weston collapsed out of pure anguish as she cried for her son, falling into the arms of Attorney General Letitia James, who held her up and attempted to console her. The cries of the grief-stricken mother echoed into the twilight.
“I want everyone to know that the police know who shot Jaden. In fact, they even know where he is. I would urge this gentleman to turn yourself in, to surrender as soon as possible, before the NYPD gets to you or the community. They know who you are. They know where you are. And I would urge you to surrender, “ James said as she held the mother.
A cry for vengeance in Queens
For some in attendance, sorrow boiled over into fury, charging that they didn’t want to wait for cops to cuff the shooter and instead take action into their own hands.
“We are all hurt, and we want answers. We want solutions. He’s going to get justice on the streets or in the criminal justice system. Justice is coming,” said Ramel Jones, a cousin of Pierre. “I am calling on the OG’s in the community. How the f**k are we going to let a bunch of little kids dictate what goes on in our community? Let’s step up. Let’s protect our kids.”
“NYPD, do your job, find him before we do!” Rev. Kevin McCall added.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams embraced Pierre’s young family members, who sobbed uncontrollably. Less of an elected official in that moment and more of an anguished father, he told the gathering that Pierre’s mother reminded him of his own mother, and the thought that his daughter could grow up to lose someone to gun violence left him enraged.
“This 15-year-old child with his book bag was beaten and shot to death in a park. My God, My God, and people videotaped it with their camera. Why was his life not worth putting the phone down?” Williams asked, tears streaming down his face. “The demonic obsession with guns in this freaking country is the problem, period. And even if they’re here, our children do not have to pick them up. That part is on us.”
The vigil ended with mourners releasing hundreds of white balloons into the sky before the masses lit candles and placed flowers where the teen lost his life.
The shooter caught on video firing the fatal shot remains at large as of Tuesday morning.
