Local

‘We failed you’: Jacksonville community gathers to mourn murdered 7-year-old at vigil

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville community came together on Thursday night to remember and honor the life of Breon Allen, the 7-year-old who died during a drive-by shooting.

READ: ‘Senseless murder’: 7-year-old dead, man hospitalized after shooting on Commonwealth Avenue

Dozens of people, including members of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and Mayor Donna Deegan, attended the candlelight vigil at Johnnie Walker Park.

The suspects are still on the run, and investigators are doing everything they can to catch them.

READ: ‘Scorched earth’: Ride-along gives inside look at JSO’s search for suspects who killed 7-year-old

The reward for any information leading to an arrest in the murder was raised to $25,000 on Thursday.

Tears were shed, candles were lit and hands were held Allen who was known to his family and friends as “Dusse.”

During the vigil, his grandmother said, “You would never forget Dusse, if you met him, you would never forget him.”

His teammate even came forward and said how much he missed him.

“Everybody loves him, he is well-known, a football star,” community member Amber Patterson said.

Allen was a star on and off the field.

“Very smart,” Allen’s auntie Elisa McFadden said. “Everybody is talking about the athletic side – [but he is] very smart [too].”

Casheena Love, Allen’s mother, said she had high hopes for her son’s future.

READ: ‘He was a football superstar’: Mother of murdered Jacksonville 7-year-old calls for justice

“It saddens me and I’m heartbroken behind it because I had such high expectations for my child,” Love said. “And he was just taken away for nothing.”

Last Friday, police said he was shot in killed in a gang-related shooting outside his home. ‘Dusse’ was with his cousin- Lafayette Mango Jr. JSO said it was a targeted attack on Mango Jr. – a known gang member.

Community members are tired of the gun violence in Jacksonville.

“I’m sorry we have failed you once again, I’m sorry for that beautiful little boy,” Mayor Donna Deegan said to Allen’s parents at the vigil.

Deegan told the crowd of mourners she wants to do everything she can to curb gun violence in the city.

“When this happens here it happens to all of us in Jacksonville,” Deegan said. “We’ve got to do better for our kids out here – how many times have I been out here for tragedies – right down the street, right?”

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Many tonight, praised ‘Dusse’ parent’s for keeping him off of the streets – and allowing him to focus on after-school activities.

His coaches even retired ‘Dusse’s jersey number 9 – and gave his family a cleat signed by all his teammates.

“My brother didn’t deserve what came to him, especially because he had places, he was going, so it really means a lot to know that everyone is here to support him and actually loved him and cared for him,” Allen’s sister Bryanna Clemons said.

JSO believes there are multiple shooters, but after six days of searching, they have no arrests.

They’re hoping that reward will get someone to come forward and give Allen’s family closure.

If you know something, you can contact First Coast Crime Stoppers, and remain anonymous. You can do so by calling 1.866.845.TIPS, visiting FCCrimeStoppers.com, or using the free P3 Tips app.

READ: ‘My baby was innocent’: Mother of murdered 7-year-old speaks out against gang violence

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.

0