Watch CBS News

Community Mourns McKees Rocks Shooting Victim At Vigil

McKEES ROCKS (KDKA) -- A community is mourning following the death of a 19-year-old who was shot last week in McKees Rocks.

Marshawn Ptomey, 19, played football at Sto-Rox High School. His parents said he would give you the shirt off his back.

They thought they would be planning for his upcoming birthday celebration. Instead, they gathered with friends and family Sunday night for a candlelight vigil in his memory.

The crowd gathered just after 9 p.m. in McKees Rocks to sing, pray and remember the teen who was home from college on summer break.

Ptomey was shot last Thursday on Russellwood Avenue, but died at a local hospital Saturday night.

Police have arrested and charged 17-year-old Destiny Brown in connection with his death.

"What could be going through that young lady's mind right now as she is sitting in jail right now?" said Eric Johnson, the victim's father. "I must be getting older because all I can do for her is pray for her."

Family and friends who gathered for the vigil say they don't understand why Ptomey was killed. They say he had a bright future on the football field and was named after an uncle who was also gunned down a few months ago.

But they say faith will provide answers to all of their questions.

"I never thought I would prepare myself to bury a child," added Theresa Hobdy, the victim's mother. "We're supposed to outlive our kids. They're supposed to bury us. I want people to be more cautious about their guns and the hands they're getting in."

Ptomey's family and friends walked in the rain to a neighborhood playground, and members of his former football team say they will hold another candlelight vigil in his memory Monday night at the place where he was gunned down.

His family says they appreciate the outpouring of support.

RELATED LINKS:
Charges Dropped Against Teen In McKees Rocks Shooting (5/25/12)
McKees Rocks Shooting Victim Dies In Hospital (5/27/12)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.