Vigil held for murdered teen
Friends and family come together to remember the life of a 17-year-old stabbed to death over the weekend in Albany. Dozens came out to a memorial at Hoffman Park, the same place Tyler Rhodes was stabbed. Our Brandon Walker has more.
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ALBANY, N.Y. -- "Stuff like this should not have escalated this far. That's another brother we have to bury," said Morgan Smith, a friend of the victim.
Heartache visibly captured through tears from just about all around. Friends and family gather Sunday to remember Tyler Rhodes, 17, killed Saturday at Hoffman Park.
"I'm numb. I'm absolutely numb," said Stacey Rhodes, Tyler's mother.
Police say Rhodes was stabbed near the corner of Hoffman Avenue and Corlear Street around 7 p.m. Saturday. Rhodes was taken to Albany Medical Center where he later died.
"The weekend is for you to have fun," screamed a friend of Tyler's at the vigil.
Witnesses say it all happened on the playground.
"So then the boy pulled out a knife, I guess, and stabbed him and then he ran. He was running after him and then he felt dizzy and fell down on the curb," said Maria Ellis, an eyewitness, said.
Tyler's mother, remembering her son's warm spirit, said she isn't the only mother in pain.
"I lost a son that I'll never be able to see again but whoever did this, their mother is suffering too. It's not worth it. We all lose at the end."
An athlete. A warm personality. Now, just another victim of what many here say happens all too often.
"You look at these young people, look in their faces, you see such potential. You see such hope for the future. This young man was an honor student. There's no reason for this to have taken place," said Carolyn McLaughlin, democrat, Albany Common Council president.
"There's no reason to stab someone or shoot someone. Hit them with a brick. There's no reason for it. You say your words and walk away," Stacey Rhodes said.
And while their grief is still raw, those who loved Tyler most say, hopefully, his death will send a much needed message.
"Come on, y'all, like seriously? Kids don't even get to live their lives. It's got to stop. It has to stop," said Preston Williams, a friend of Tyler's.