More than 100 people gathered Tuesday evening on a corner near Manual High School and prayed for the 18-year-old who was gunned down in a drive-by shooting the day before.
Robert Smith was repeatedly overcome with emotion during the hour-long peace vigil for his son, De’Quan Walker-Smith. He said with three sons, he has seen too much gang violence in the Whittier neighborhood.
“It’s senseless,” he said, wiping at his eyes. “It’s really senseless.”
Police continue to search for his son’s killer, following the 3 p.m. Monday shooting across from Fuller Park, immediately north of the high school. No details or information from witnesses has been released.
A neighbor who lives near the park told The Denver Post on Monday that people scattered when the shots rang out.
Anyone with information can call Denver police at 720-913-2000 or Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tips also can be sent by text to CRIMES (274637) with the title DMCS, or online at .
There is a reward of up to $2,000, and people who provide information can remain anonymous.
Smith’s funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Friendship Baptist Church, 880 Fairfax St. The family will hold another vigil at Fuller Park at 6 p.m. Saturday to honor Walker-Smith’s memory.
Smith finished high school last year, obtaining his GED from Summit Academy High School in southwest Denver after attending North High School in 2010. He went by the nickname “Cinister,”according to his Facebook page.
Anti-gang groups organized Tuesday’s peace vigil to urge young people to seek not retaliation but consolation and to work toward an end to gang violence in the neighborhood.
“If you grow up in this community, you know this neighborhood is bleeding every day with the young people we’re losing,” said Johnnie Williams, who works with youths through the Gang Reduction Initiative of Denver.
Denver City Councilman Albus Brooks made a passionate plea for the community to stand together.
“I am overwhelmed with grief and sadness,” he told the crowd at the vigil before he pleaded with young people.
“There’s more to life than this,” he said of gangs and violence. “God has a destiny and a plan for your life. Don’t give in. Don’t give in to retaliation.”
Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com
