12-year-old boy shot to death in front of his twin brother; police searching for a suspect
(Meredith) – A Chicago family is devastated after someone shot and killed a 12-year-old boy in front of his twin brother as they rode in a car.
Demetrius Townsel Jr. was pronounced dead Saturday night following the shooting in Gary, Indiana, about 35 minutes outside of his Chicago neighborhood.
Police said someone fired shots at a car and struck the 12-year-old boy, who was sitting next to his twin brother, Darius.
Community activist Andrew Holmes told WGN-TV that Darius held his brother “all the way to the hospital” and tried to save his life by applying pressure to the gunshot wound.
“I miss my brother,” Darius said during a memorial on Monday. “He was the funniest dude I’ve ever known. Picked everybody up, made them laugh.”
Gary detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying the shooter who killed Demetrius, and his family is also demanding justice.
“Why would y’all take my baby’s life?” his father, Demetrius Townsel Sr., said.
“I can’t hold my baby anymore. Please turn yourself in,” the boy’s mother, Catherine Brown, added.
Gary Police Cmdr. Jack Hamady said detectives have no updates to offer the public yet, but more information will be forthcoming later in the week.
Anyone with information on this case can call 1-800-U-TELL-US (1-800-883-5587).
Photo Credit: Demetrius Townsel’s family