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).
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.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:46 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:46:32 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate cancellations and delays on the Long Island Rail Road for the Tuesday evening rush. The railroad has canceled 21 trains that normally leave Penn Station between 3:27 and 7:01 p.m.
Riders should anticipate cancellations and delays on the Long Island Rail Road for the Tuesday evening rush. The railroad has canceled 21 trains that normally leave Penn Station between 3:27 and 7:01 p.m.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:32:12 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 3:05 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:05:09 GMT
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:18 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:18:24 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 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:04 GMT
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:04 AM EDT2013-06-18 14:04:15 GMT
Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch meticulously planned his own funeral, but his tombstone has the wrong birth date. The headstone lists his birth year as 1942 instead of 1924.
Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch meticulously planned his own funeral, but his tombstone has the wrong birth date. The headstone lists his birth year as 1942 instead of 1924.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:50:24 GMT
More than two dozen family members packed a court room to support the daughter who never gave up on finding her father's killer.
More than two dozen family members packed a court room to support the daughter who never gave up on finding her father's killer. For the first time, Joselyn Martinez came face to face with the man she believes took her dad away from her when she was just a little girl.
