Slain 13-year-old remembered in Raleigh
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Hundreds gathered Wednesday evening on the street corner in southeast Raleigh where 13-year-old Keyshawn Gregory lost his life August 7.
His teammates brought his jersey from the Raleigh youth basketball league Swish City Magic. Most knew him as Shawn and they also called him brother.
"I was thinking about it all night. I was sad. That was my teammate," said Darrell Wilson.
Police said Gregory was riding in a car when words were exchanged with some older teens on the street and shots were fired into the vehicle. The car went a short distance before others riding with Gregory realized he had been hit and called for help.
At the candlelight vigil for Gregory Wednesday evening, his coach said the teen - like many of his teammates - hoped to use basketball as a ticket to a college scholarship and a way out of southeast Raleigh.
"These kids have seen a lot in their lifetime to be so young. They say 'Coach, I just wanna chance.' Shawn for example, Shawn said 'Coach, I wanna get my mom and dad out of the hood,'" said Coach Darryl Wilson.
There were calls at the vigil for the community to take action.
"Let's make sure that we're protecting them. We gotta be our brother's keepers," said Coach Rodney Ellis.
In the face of tragedy, Gregory's mother and grandmother said they found comfort in the community support.
"I am so grateful and thankful for all this love that everybody is showing," said grandmother Ada Gregory.
"It feels good that he has all this support, feel real good," said Lakesha Harris.
Funeral services for Gregory are set for Monday. Meantime, 19-year old Malik Armein Jones remains in jail charged with murder. Two other teens are charged as accessories.
