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).
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:04:45 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:50:04 GMT
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:43 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:43:15 GMT
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan.
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan. The protesters said Thursday they want Wendy's to sign an agreement to safeguard working conditions for Florida tomato pickers.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:07:03 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:46:23 GMT
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:27 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:27:26 GMT
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:23 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:23:21 GMT
Ex-congressman Anthony Weiner whose career imploded after raunchy tweets said in a YouTube video announcement that he's in the New York City mayoral race.
Ex-congressman Anthony Weiner whose career imploded after raunchy tweets said in a YouTube video announcement that he's in the New York City mayoral race. A poll released Wednesday placed Weiner in second place behind City Council Speaker Christine Quinn in a Democratic primary.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-05-22 01:51:10 GMT
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
