On Saturday evening, a candlelight awakening was held for 14-year-old Jake Longman, who was tragically killed, according to his family, in a drive-by shooting last week.
Family, friends and community members gathered with drums and prayers for the teenagers and those in attendance wore orange shirts that read ‘every child counts’, in memory of the young life that followed. Was taken too soon.
The teenager’s grandmother, Brenda Longman, said she and her loved ones were devastated, hurt and shocked to learn about the murder, which took place on Wednesday afternoon in an alleyway on the 1200 block of Rae Street.
Longman said she wants justice for her grandson’s death and calls for it to raise awareness of the deadly effects of ongoing mass violence in the city, which she says has only worsened in recent years.
“I’m so angry, I’m sick and tired of these gangs of guns hurting people,” Longman said.
“I know he’s not the first person to be shot and it’s getting sick.”
Longman said she is asking community members, grandparents, parents and anyone who has been hurt by “rival gang feuds” and who are engaging young children in gang life and ” harming those who do not want to join the gang”. More involvement with police to bring down those persons and take away their weapons.
The family is seeking information from anyone who can help the police advance their investigation into Jake’s death.
“I just want justice for my grandson because his death was so unnecessary, and he was just a little, little boy, you know, just a little 14-year-old who had so much to live for.”
Longman said that his grandson loved the sport and was raised by several members of the family, including his brother, who he said died.
According to Regina police, a 15-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the murder, the sixth homicide of the year in the city.
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