The grandparents of Tyler Lawrence, who was fatally shot while walking to their Mattapan home on Sunday, Jan. 29, started a GoFundMe campaign to help honor their grandson's legacy.
"We are seeking justice for Tyler and we will honor his important and valuable life for the rest of ours," the campaign reads. "We hope to honor his memory by serving our community, providing opportunities to other children that Tyler did not have the opportunity to experience and establishing a long-lasting memorial foundation."
Tyler, a student at Coakley Middle School in Norwood, was "known to many as sweet, kind, well-loved, friendly and having the brightest smile," his grandparents wrote on the GoFundMe.
Tyler's death sparked outrage among his family, including his mother Remy Lawrence who has been very outspoken about the incident. The grief-stricken mother said her son "doesn't have any enemies" and that whoever shot him mistook him for another person, 7News reports.
“Everybody in this city should be outraged and if you’re not what’s wrong," Remy told the outlet. “I want to know where are you people? It’s 11:20 in the morning, somebody saw something. And if you know something say something, it could be your son.”
Csean Skerritt, age 34, was later arrested and charged with Tyler's murder on Sunday, Feb. 5, authorities said. Skerritt was already in federal custody on un-related charges.
“Our family is relieved and grateful that Boston Police and the District Attorney’s Office have taken the first steps toward justice for our beloved Tyler," the Lawrence family said in a statement.
"We would like to thank all of the investigators, the detectives, and the elected officials for their continued support for our family, for their integrity and their persistence," they continued.
A funeral service for Tyler was held on Feb. 11, according to his obituary. In addition to his parents and grandparents, Tyler leaves behind two brothers, two sisters and more loved ones.
People interested in donating to the GoFundMe can click here.
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