A vigil was held for a 15-year-old found shot to death and burned in a trash can on Chicago’s West Side.
Days after her son Demetritus Griffin was found killed in an alley, Polyneisa Sykes offered a desperate please.
“They killed my baby out here in this alley,” she said. “I need somebody—you know something—please come forward.”
Family and friends of the teen gathered Tuesday night near the alley where his body was found in the South Austin neighborhood.
Griffin had recently started high school at Steinmetz College Prep. On Friday he never came home.
His body was found in a burning trashcan in the 500 block of Cortez Street. Police have not offered a motive but believe whoever started the fire may have burns on their hands. They are asking for anyone with information to come forward.
“There’s nothing a 15-year-old can do to anybody for him to deserve what you guys did to him,” said crisis responder Dawn Valenti.
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Ald. Emma Mitts, 37th, lamented the violence in the city.
“This is happening too many times in our neighborhood,” Mitts said.
She believes Griffin’s death was meant to send a message that she and others say is not welcome in their community.
“This is no accident—this is intent,” she said. “And as the alderman I will be working to make sure this family gets some justice.”
