Murdered Teen Remembered: 'We're Losing Too Many Kids'
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4)- More than 200 family and friends of the teenager who was gunned down on Wednesday night gathered for a vigil to remember Marcell Johnson.
"This violence doesn't have to be on the street," said one of Marcell's friends who attended the vigil. "We're losing too many kids. Way too many kids."
Johnson was shot and killed outside the Fitzsimmons Place Apartments off Colfax Avenue and Nome Street in Aurora late Wednesday night. A 17 year-old who has not been identified was also injured in the shooting.
Investigators have arrested James Jason Lee, 18, and are not seeking additional suspects. Detectives decided to withhold his mug shot from the public during their investigation. Police would not elaborate on the details of the shooting.
Neighbors say the shooting was gang related, though it is unclear if Johnson was a gang member or just mistakenly identified as one.
Ronald Blan, a former gang member turned advocate, called Johnson's death egregious and unnecessary, "This violence has to stop among us. That violence has to come to an end. Both families are destroyed now."
Johnson had just started his first week of high school. Mourners at his vigil were too young to drive. Wearing book bags and braces, the outpouring of grief shut down an entire block.
"I could tell you he was young," says Matthew Ricks, a youth football coach who saw Johnson frequently on his fields.
"He had a lot of life ahead of him and he's not going to be able to fulfill it."
Johnson brought his football team to the vigil and left a sobering message for kids living in the neighborhood.
"They're going to have to find it within themselves to make themselves stronger to put a better person out into the world every day they wake up."
Stan Bush is a general assignment reporter at CBS4. His stories can be seen on CBS4 News at 10. Read his bio and follow him on Twitter @StanBushTV.