CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A local anti-violence activist is hoping a reward and devastating development will help lead to an arrest after a Chicago boy was shot and killed in Gary over the weekend.
Community Activist Andrew Holmes is offering a $2,000 reward in connection with Saturday night's shooting of 12-year-old Demetrius Townsel Jr. in Gary.
"This pain ain't going nowhere. Regardless, even when they get this guy in custody or the perpetrators in custody. It ain't going nowhere. The pain is going to be with them. But let's do what we can. Let's get this individual off the street," Holmes said.
Police said the young boy and his family were driving near 26th Avenue and Pierce Street in Gary on their way to visit a relative when someone opened fire at their car near a gas station.
"As they were headed back, an individual emerged from off the sidewalk, displayed and discharged a weapon into that vehicle," Holmes said. "The young Demetrius was struck."
As the family rushed the 12-year old to a local hospital, Holmes said his twin brother applied pressure and did everything he could to save his life.
"The twin brother was holding pressure on him, trying to keep him living. They had to go about two blocks. The police did respond and did follow the family to the hospital," Holmes said.
"He's going to miss his brother, and see he is traumatized, so I am getting him some counseling and some therapy and it is going to be a long road, because you know, that is going to be with him the rest of his life."
Townsel was pronounced dead later Saturday night. Holmes is now offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
"We're looking for surveillance footage or anybody in Gary that knows anything. The person just needs to come forward. You stopped that boy's heartbeat just like that," Holmes said.
Townsel lived in Chicago's Back of The Yards neighborhood. His death has been ruled a homicide from a gunshot wound.
Gary Police Cmdr. Jack Hamady asked the public for help Monday in identifying the person who shot Townsel. He said police detectives have no updates to offer the public yet, but more information will be forthcoming later in the week about Townsel's killing.
Gary police ask anyone with information about Townsel's killing to call the Lake County/Gary Metro Homicide Unit at 219-755-3855 or the Crime Tip Line at 866-CRIME-GP.
