HUMBOLDT PARK — The slaying of 7-year-old Amari Brown has been felt across the city since July 4, but the 1100 block of North Harding Avenue in Humboldt Park was particularly hard hit.
On Thursday night, the community gathered to remember Amari, who was gunned down on the Fouth of July outside his family's home. Police said the gunman was targeting the boy's father, Antonio Brown, who they say is a gang member with a lengthy criminal background.
He's been blasted by police Supt. Garry McCarthy and Mayor Rahm Emanuel for allegedly refusing to cooperate with police.
This week, the Rev. Ira Acree of the Leaders Network; Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) and state Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago) announced that a coalition of South and West side business, churches, politicians and community leaders have raised more than $6,000 as a reward for information leading to the capture of Amari’s killer.
"With the community coming together to offer this reward, it means finding this child killer must be the top priority," the Rev. Marshall Hatch of the Leaders Network said.
Brown took his time lighting 25 candles Thursday night at the memorial for his son as a group of neighbors and small children watched. The 29-year-old remained silent throughout the ceremonial lighting, straightening a set of Ninja Turtles blankets while dressed in a Ninja Turtles T-shirt in honor of his son, whom neighbors described as a happy boy who loved to ride his bike and play with friends on the block.
Anti-violence activist Jedidiah Brown called for an apology from McCarthy, saying his comments blaming Brown for his son’s death “alienated and disrespected” many of those who could otherwise help the investigation.
“We have to stand with the father, and we have to grieve with him,” Brown told the gathered crowd. “You’ve lost my confidence and you’ve lost my trust,” he said of McCarthy.
Police presence on the block was heavy for the vigil, and in general, since Amari's slaying.
“This particular issue touches all of our hearts, into the collective conscious of a city and of a nation, “ Acree said after the Humboldt Park vigil, calling the root of the problem a “social desperation” stemming largely from the proliferation of guns, an underground drug economy and rampant unemployment.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” he added. “And if we target social desperation, we will take colossal steps.”
Antonio Brown took his time lighting 25 candles Thursday night at the memorial for his son. [DNAinfo/Darryl Holliday]
Pastor Ruben Escobar addresses the mourners. [DNAinfo/Darryl Holliday]
Violence interrupter Ameena Matthews (top) and Humboldt Park resident Sarah Billups (bottom) embrace Amari's grieving father during a Humboldt Park vigil July 9. [DNAinfo/Darryl Holliday]
