Candlelight vigil and balloon release held for teenager killed in Raleigh
A candlelight vigil and balloon release was held on Wednesday night to honor a teenager who was killed in Raleigh. More than a hundred people attended the event to pay their respects and remember the life of 17-year-old Dontez Ruffins Jr.
Ruffins Jr. was fatally shot Monday evening off of North New Hope Road.
Many people in the community are calling for help in finding the person responsible for the death of Ruffins Jr.
"That was our heart. You hear me? You hear me? That was my blood," Kalaysia Harris, sister, said.
Ruffins Jr., also known as DJ, was killed near an apartment complex, leaving his loved ones with fresh wounds.
"Any time we lose a young man like DJ, that's a hurting mother and family and father that's grieving," Pastor Clarence Dale. "Not just today not just tomorrow but for months and years to come and you can never replace that loss."
Pastor Dale has worked over half his life trying to stop crime among young men.
"Violence is never the answer," Dale said. "And we must understand that we must put down these guns."
As loved ones released their balloons, a reminder of the unanswered questions still lingering. Police have yet to arrest or identify a suspect. Through their tears and grief, those who gathered called for justice.
"This is death. Unfortunately, he won't be back. So if anyone knows what's happen bring the truth," Dale said.
Raleigh police officers spent hours at the scene collecting evidence after the incident.
On Monday at 6:35 p.m., officers responded to a report of a shooting on the 5100 block of North New Hope Road.
When officers arrived, they found Ruffins Jr. with gunshot wounds.
The teenager was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he later died.
Neighbors at Lexington on the Green Apartment Homes said they heard about six to seven shots coming from the park in the middle of the community.
This is still under investigation.
They're asking anyone who has information to give them a call.
