Death Of DeSoto Boy Brings Neighborhood Together

DESOTO (CBSDFW.COM) - The message was plain and simple. "It must stop here," DeSoto Mayor Carl Sherman said. "I will do everything in my power as mayor of this city to ensure that we don't see this again."

The tragedy is painful and complex. "He was a good child," explained the mother of Deonte Johnson, April Richardson. "I just thank God for allowing me to spend as much time with him as I had."

More than 100 people gathered for a candlelight vigil Thursday night outside the Brookhollow Apartments in DeSoto

Friends, family and neighbors came to remember a 12-year-old boy struck down nearly a week ago. Deonte's uncle, Everett Jackson, said, "I had a lot of hatred in my heart because of this situation. But after analyzing the situation, I realize that God is all forgiving and I must be likewise."

Cell phone video captured a brutal fight last Friday outside the apartment complex.

Seconds later, 17-year-old Dominique Hemphill ran from the fight, jumped in a car and sped away. Police say Hemphill clipped one boy, before driving over Deonte Johnson.

Johnson suffered critical head injuries and remained on life support for nearly a week until he passed away Thursday morning.

Hemphill was facing a charge of injury to a child, but now that the young boy has died, Hemphill is likely to face a more severe charge.

"It's going to be a journey. I hope this is a lesson to all, because it could have been anyone of us," April Richardson told the crowd. "It could have been worse. It could have been more than one."

Johnson's passing comes just four days before his 13th birthday. Those who came to remember the child known as "DJ" say he'll be celebrating in heaven.