Family and friends of DaShawn “Da Da” Cox release balloons in memory of the 17-year-old Armstrong High School student who was shot and killed about 4:40 p.m. Feb. 17 outside the Ashley Oaks Apartments in the 1400 block of Jennie Scher Road in the East End. The teen’s mother and sister, as well as city officials, spoke at the vigil held last Sunday outside the apartment complex.
“This is pain that I hope nobody out here will ever have to go through,” his mother, Berthenia Brown, told the crowd through tears. “It hurts.”
Richmond Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras said he has been to so many vigils for slain young people that he has lost count. “I’m a little ashamed to say that, but it’s the truth.” He and others called for an end to gun violence in the city.
“Enough is enough,” said 7th District School Board member Cheryl L. Burke, a retired principal. “You all tell us what to do.”
A community meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, at the Powhatan Community Center, 5051 Northampton St., to discuss possible solutions. Police are asking anyone with information about DeShawn’s death to call Richmond Police Major Crimes Detective A. Darnell at (804) 646-3927 or to contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.
