Family wants answers after teenager killed on way home from Detroit school

DETROIT – Friends and family members gathered on Tuesday, June 4, to remember a 16-year-old boy who was shot and killed on his way home from school.

Elijah Reece’s family said he was attacked because of his shoes on his way home from East English Village Preparatory Academy.

Background: 16-year-old killed on his way home from school because of a pair of shoes on Detroit’s east side

His mother said he bought a pair of shoes worth $1,200 from the late designer Alexander McQueen.

Elijah’s funeral took place on Tuesday.

“Today is the hardest day for all of us. Our family is trying to stick together and be strong for each other,” said Seddie Carreker, Elijah’s cousin. “Nobody wants to go through what we’re going through right now. These teenagers are killing children and they don’t even know why they’re killing them.”

Elijah was shot three times in broad daylight on May 22 while walking home with a friend on Detroit’s east side. Nearly two weeks later, the man responsible has still not been caught.

“We leave that to the police,” said Carreker. “We don’t want to put pressure on them, otherwise they might let the boys get away because they’re driving too fast.”

Elijah’s parents said they had to be patient and wait for the police to do their job.

The family is calling on those responsible to turn themselves in. It is only a matter of time before the police identify the suspects.

“You can’t run away,” said Carreker. “The city is too small and everyone talks.”