CHICAGO — In an emotional interview with hip hop radio station WGCI, the father of slain 9-year-old Tyshawn Lee defended himself from allegations of profiting off the situation and not cooperating with police, saying he has "nothing to live for" since his son's murder.
Pierre Stokes sat down with WGCI hosts Leon Rogers and Kendra G, along with community activist Tony Taylor, for a 35-minute interview in which he talked about how fatherhood had affected him, saying that he had stopped gangbanging because of his son. He also denied allegations that he sold T-shirts with his son's picture to raise money, and briefly accused Tyshawn's mom of inappropriate spending before quickly backtracking.
Kendra G in particular pushed back against Stokes when he claimed to know nothing about who had killed his son, despite police saying that Stokes' gang ties were the reason that Tyshawn was killed, and additional reports that the murder was part of an ongoing "gang war."
Police told DNAinfo Chicago this week that Stokes is a reputed member of the Gangster Disciple faction “Killa Ward” that police sources say has been at war with the “Terra Dome” faction of the Black P Stone street gang.
READ MORE: Tyshawn's Dad Told Police Looking For Boy's Killer To 'F--- Off': Sources
Stokes denied being uncooperative with police officers, though he dodged specific questions about who he thinks committed the crime.
Police told DNAinfo Chicago this week that Stokes told detectives working on the case to "f--- off" when they questioned him.
In the WGCI interview, Stokes said he has no information to give officers and that police are harassing him.
"I have even heard rumors about who may have killed your son. Have you not heard any names yourself?" frustrated host Kendra G asked.
Stokes avoided the question.
Listen to the first half of the interview here (video of second half below):
"They said I wasn't cooperating with the police," he said. "Like, every question they asked me, I told them ... you can't ask me a question with a question. If I ask you what happened to my son and you asked what happened to my son, how far can we get?"
"Pierre, that's not what I'm asking you. I'm asking you if you heard a name? I'm trying to figure out how I heard a name but you didn't hear a name yet," Kendra continued.
"Because I've been in my house, standing by my son's memorial every day," Stokes said.
RELATED: As Tyshawn Lee's Mom Defended Car Purchase, Dad Sold T-Shirts Online
Kendra continued with the line of questioning.
"I don't believe that," she said. "We don't want to cast judgment on you or the mother, but what we see on the news is challenging for us. I'm hoping and praying you don't know the name and aren't giving it to police because that's not doing your son justice."
"If I ever found out who did it, I would be the first person to give it to police," Stokes finally said. "I don't want no money for no reward. It's about my son. If I ever found out, I would walk to the police myself ..."
Stokes was never directly asked about his gang ties, but he did say that his relationship with Tyshawn led him to leave old habits behind.
"He really wanted to be around me. Be by his daddy," Stokes said. "That's why I stayed away from the block."
Stokes said much of his interaction with Tyshawn came when they walked to school every morning. When he visited with Tyshawn, it was at his mom's house, Stokes said. (Tyshawn's parents are not together, and the boy lived mostly with his grandmother, according to Stokes and reports.)
Watch the second half of the interview here:
"If I get him, we go inside to my mother's house," he said. "I don't want him seeing the things that's going on beyond my mother's house."
Stokes was asked about his own safety, since his son was allegedly murdered because of his gang involvement.
"I'm actually not scared," he said. "Before this situation happened, I may be scared. But now, that was my only boy. It's like I got nothing to live for."
Stokes was also asked about the $17,000 in GoFundMe money, which was raised by a friend of Tyshawn's mom for the boy's funeral and burial. Karla Lee bought a car last week, stirring up social media outrage when donors questioned whether she had used their funds for her personal purchase, though she later denied it.
RELATED: Tyshawn Lee Funeral Brings Heartbreaking Scenes of Children Saying Goodbye
"The GoFundMe accounts I had no part of," Stokes said, adding that the funeral and burial were paid for by Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church in Auburn Gresham. "That was the mother who went and bought a 2015 Chrysler 200, going to the store and buying [designer] bags. Allegedly. She not here to defend herself. I apologize for letting the city of Chicago hear me say that."
Stokes also denied selling T-shirts emblazoned with Tyshawn's face. A GoFundMe page under Stokes' name briefly popped up last weekend selling shirts for up to $45 and saying funeral money was needed because Karla Lee had spent it.
"The shirts are free. The shirts is made by my friend. We didn't make them to sell them," he said. "Everybody out here trying to make us the bad guys when we still hurting. They trying to attack me for things in my past that don't really go on no more."
A screenshot from a GoFundMe page that appeared Sunday in Wooh Gotti's name, Stokes' alias.
Stokes broke down when asked about Tyshawn's last words to him.
"'Daddy, can I spend the night at your house?'" Stokes recalled. "I told him he got school in the morning, so, no ..."
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