Twenty-four hours after 13-year-old Shakanah China was gunned down, there was a gathering full of prayers and candles to remember the vibrant young girl whose life came to a tragic end.
"If you don't remember nothing, just remember, Shakanah was a good girl," said Diane Billings, Shakanah's grandmother. "She smiled, she laughed, she talked, she loved to joke."
Durham police say the shooter was in a green, older model Ford Winstar or a Chevy Astrovan that had several people inside. Shakanah's mother told ABC11 Eyewitness News her daughter was shot just a few feet away from their apartment.
"The first bullet missed her," said Demetriss China, Shakanah's mother. "The second and the third hit her. She died instantly in my arms."
The grief of the tragedy rests on Demetriss' face, a grieving mother who was surrounded by her loved ones.
"It's put our family in a world of hurt," said Gary Billings, Shakanah's great uncle.
Strangers are also sharing in the grief, looking for justice.
"An innocent child lost their life, for nothing," said Rita Cates, Shakanah's cousin. "It's not the purpose of an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth, but just that justice be served.
Durham police continue investigating the murder. No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information is asked to call Investigator Pate at (919) 560-4440 or CrimeStoppers at (919) 683-1200. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to arrests in felony cases and callers never have to identify themselves.
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