For a fourth night Wednesday, a crowd gathered in a Carrollton neighborhood where a 13-year-old boy was shot to death in his bed. There were hugs, tears and songs in memory of Nizzear Rodriguez. But above all, there was a renewed sense of hope.
“We’ve never had people stand up and say, ‘We have to change,’” Jenny Samples told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Our community is coming together and trying to make something positive out of it.”
A lifelong Carrollton resident, Samples said she grew up with Nizzear’s parents and even babysat the little boy. Like others in the west Georgia town, she was shocked to hear the news that Nizzear was killed early Sunday, just hours after celebrating his birthday.
On Wednesday, three of the four suspects allegedly connected to the boy’s death made court appearances. Kenneth Wheat, 21, and Jackquline Leann Freeman, 24, each charged with murder, were denied bond. Bond was set at $10,000 for Oleida Ward, 34, of Carrollton, charged with making false statements.
On Monday, Malik Davis, 17, charged with murder, was also denied bond.
Investigators have not yet determined a motive in the boy’s shooting. But by all accounts, Nizzear was an innocent victim, a smart boy who loved basketball and video games.
“It doesn’t seem real because I was just hugging him and telling him Happy Birthday,” Ashley Green, a neighbor, said late Wednesday. “Never in a million years would I think something like this would happen.”
Those who knew Nizzear and his family, and even strangers, are using the boy’s death as motivation to end violence.
“We’re not used to stuff like this happening here,” 16-year-old Tay Holts said Wednesday night.
Holts, who will sing at Nizzear’s funeral, sang Wednesday, along with many of the 100 or so people who gathered in the Carrollton neighborhood. The group walked together and held hands, vowing to end violence.
“Our community is coming together and trying to make something positive out of it,” Samples said.
Visitation for Nizzear will be held Sept. 5 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Carrollton. His funeral will be held Sept. 6 at the church. Martin and Hightower Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
An online fundraising page has been set up for those wishing to assist the family.
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