CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Students, parents and staff gathered at Simeon Career Academy Saturday morning in support of the families of two 15-year-old students who were shot to death on Tuesday.
Pastors and Simeon alumni were among the 100 people who gathered in front of the school at 81st Street and Vincennes Avenue to release balloons for Jamari Williams and Kentrell McNeal, both shot to death in separate incidents earlier this week.
Jamari was killed blocks from Simeon outside of businesses in the Chatham neighborhood. Four hours later, Kentrell was killed in a shooting near a McDonald’s in Hyde Park that left a 14-year-old boy in critical condition.
Jamari’s mother was comforted by the principal, Trista Harper.
"And we want to let you know that we love you and that we are here to support you. All of these people came out for you," Harper said.
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"It's devastating. It's not all right. It's not okay," Delores Bowden, who was among those in the crowd.
Bowden said people need to know not all Black kids are bad and not all of them have a gun in their hand.
There are great kids, she said, and that’s overshadowed by all the violence.
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