Family Seeking Justice For 12-Year-Old Chicago Boy Who Was Shot To Death In Front Of Twin Brother
A Chicago family is hurting following the loss of an innocent young boy. 12-year-old Demetrius Townsel Jr. was shot and killed after leaving a gas station on Saturday, May 16, in Gary, Indiana, which is about 25 miles from downtown Chicago, Illinois.
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NBC Chicago reported that the sixth-grader was in the back seat of a car when he was struck. Townsel Jr’s twin had to hold the young boy “all the way to the hospital,” and put pressure on his wound to help keep him alive, community activist Andrew Holmes and local officials said.
The boys were visiting family in Gary and were with their cousins in the car, the Chicago Tribune reported. Demetrius’ twin, Darius Townsel, tried to stop the bleeding as the driver headed for the hospital. But unfortunately, little Demetrius did not make it. He was pronounced dead at 9:36 p.m. at an area hospital. “I miss my brother,” Darius said during a memorial last Monday. “He was the funniest dude I’ve ever known. Picked everybody up, made them laugh.” Catherine Brown, the boys’ mother, is asking for the shooter to come forward and according to the latest update by NBC News, the reward for information has doubled after receiving a donation from businessman Early Walker.
“Somebody in this neighborhood knows who took this baby’s life,” Holmes said. “What about his graduation? What about his future?”
The community activist and the boy’s family initially offered a $2,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of whoever shot the 12-year-old. But thanks to Walker, that rewarded has doubled to $4,000.
While speaking to WSOCTV, Walker said,
“This young man was being held by his own 12-year-old brother in the backseat of the car on the way to the hospital,” Walker told the outlet. “If that doesn’t hit home, I don’t know what does. We are urging this killer to come forward and to turn yourselves in.”
As the news site notes, the family is hoping and praying that the gunman will be arrested before his funeral on June 5.
“I can’t hold my baby no more. Please turn yourself in,” Catherine pleaded.
A GoFundMe page has been created to cover Demetrius Townsel’s funeral expenses.
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