Friends and family remember 15-year-old boy shot to death while babysitting nephew

CLEVELAND — Dozens of family, friends and teachers of 15-year-old Shilynn Alford braved the bitter cold Friday night to say goodbye and remember her at the Michael J. Zone Recreation Center on Lorain Avenue.

Almost a week ago this tragic scene took place in a Cleveland neighborhood. Police and paramedics responded to an apartment in the 6300 block of Woodland Avenue.

16-year-old in critical condition after Saturday night shooting

RELATED: A 15-year-old girl dies after a shooting on Saturday night

They found the 15-year-old boy shot in the head. Shilynn died two days later from her injuries.

Friday night’s vigil was a time to say goodbye to Shilynn, with balloons symbolizing a life lost too soon to gun violence.

“No, I don’t understand why we’re here,” said her mother, Regina Murray, who is still reeling from her daughter’s murder.

“She was a loving older sister. She loved her nephew. That’s why she was there at the time,” Murray said. “It wasn’t like my daughter was hanging out. It was that she was there taking care of her nephew.”

Murray says the shooting took place in an apartment, not on the street.

Prosecutors have charged her 16-year-old boyfriend with murder A and B, two counts of felonious assault and tampering with evidence.

“She thought he loved her, you know, she loved him very much,” Murray said. “The young man said it was an accident. If this was the accident, you should put away your weapons.”

Those who braved the cold also came to reflect and remember Shilynn and who she was.

“We would always come here to the recreation center. Every time we were together; We were up here,” said Isis Hinton, who told News 5 the two had been best friends since kindergarten.

The Michael J. Zone Recreation Center was where Shilynn came to play the sport she loved most: basketball.

“She will tell you if you like her or not, no matter what. But she was always fun,” Hinton said. “Like she would always take pictures with you so you can keep those memories.”

Shilynn’s older brother, Cordell Burton, told News 5 he appreciates all the support his family has received since his sister’s death. The family has created a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses.

“She definitely had a lot of people who loved her and she definitely had a great support team behind her,” Burton said.

Some of Shilynn’s biggest supporters were her art teachers at the Clark School.

“She’s so sweet. She loved to draw,” said Dana Crane, who taught Shilynn and many of her brothers and sisters. “She always did her best, she always did her best. “What a sweet girl.”

Teacher David Bidinost says Shilynn was an outstanding student who was always ready to learn.

“She brought a sense of community that was valued in our school building,” Bidinost said. “He had so many positive attributes. He was always happy.”

Cuyahoga County prosecutors say the 16-year-old is being held at the Cuyahoga County Detention Center. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing by the Cleveland Homicide Division.