PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Dozens of people gathered outside Simon Gratz High School Mastery Charter in Hunting Park Thursday evening to honor a life cut short earlier this week. Devin Weedon, 15, was shot and killed in an attempted robbery while walking to school.
Family, friends, teachers, teammates and classmates of Weedon filled the lawn of Gratz High, many holding red, black and white balloons — the school's colors — before releasing them into the air.
Loved ones described Weedon as a goofy, kind and joyful kid. Mourners tried to keep the event uplifting, but at times, even the DJ’s loud music couldn't mask the sobs of the boy’s siblings.
“I wish that I could hug him one more time and tell him that I love him,” said his sister, Shanae.
Weedon’s mother, Wytina Burnside, said she worked hard to keep her boys involved in positive activities. Weedon was on the school football team. She said her son wanted to start a youth athletic camp.
“They shot my son twice,” she said, “for no reason at all.”
Gratz freshman Zyhir Fuller said Weedon was like a brother to him.
“We had plans,” he said, “stuff we were going to do in the future. This world is messed up. You can’t look somewhere without expecting to be shot. It shouldn’t have to be this way.”
While the family is still searching for answers to the senseless violence, police are still searching for the shooters responsible.
The Philadelphia Police Department released images and surveillance video of the four suspects, who were dressed in all black and wore masks covering their faces. Anyone with information should contact authorities.
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