Young man shot and killed in Raleigh remembered by family, friends
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Friends, family, and loved ones gathered Saturday afternoon to remember and share fond memories of 20-year-old Kouren Thomas, the young man shot and killed outside a home in Raleigh. Those gathered at Imago Dei Church on Old Wake Forest Road talked about how he could make anyone laugh until they cried and how his appetite ate his mother out of house and home.
There was a crowd of about 75 people at the service. Everyone was asked to wear Thomas' favorite color to the funeral - pink. And if they had them, they also wore pink bandanas, mismatched socks and Vans shoes, some of Thomas' favorite things.
"I just want to thank everybody for giving me strength," said Simone Thomas, Kouren's mother. "Just pray for my family that we can go on. And protect all the children."
Thomas was shot and killed early Sunday morning on August 7. The man who allegedly pulled the trigger claimed he was defending his neighborhood and has since been charged with murder.
Read more about the shooting here.
"I never thought I'd have to write something like this for my brother, not in a million years and I want you to know my heart is crushed beyond repair," said Kellen Crosby, one of Thomas' brothers.
When Crosby took to the podium, he held back tears and told the crowd he was nervous about speaking, but that his little brother was giving him the strength to do it.
"Growing up, me and Kouren knew how to get up under each other skin and we did have our shares of ups and downs like any other brothers would," shared Crosby. "But I always loved him no matter how much we got on each other's nerves. I felt our bond as brothers get stronger and I never got the chance to tell him that until today."
"It's hard to find words after a day like today," said Justin Bamberg, the attorney for the Thomas family. He also attended the funeral and said he's hopeful about the investigation.
"Myself, the family, everyone looking forward to at the end of the day, there being a criminal conviction," said Bamberg.
READ MORE: Victim's lawyer calls suspect 'Zimmerman 2.0'
