'My baby is gone, I'll never get him back' | Crime

The mother of a 12-year-old boy caught in the crossfire of a shootout last week is making a passionate plea.

Her little boy was gunned down in broad daylight - and no one is coming forward with information to catch the killer.

And on Wednesday, a community turned out tonight to remember Alajawan Brown at a vigil beside the 7-Eleven store where the 12-year boy stumbled to get help after he was shot.

Hundreds turned out to honor his memory and agonize over another young life lost. His mother, Ayanna Brown, was there, too.

"Trust me, the prayers are what's helped us keep whatever little sanity we're holding onto," she said.

Ayanna believes God has a plan for her son, who was an innocent victim caught in the crossfire of a fight between rivals in an apartment complex parking lot.

For an area riddled with crime - this time, it was different.

Alajawan Brown had just gotten off a bus and was walking home when he was hit. H was described by so many as a good kid with a vibrant personality - and so much potential.

"When he moved, I asked to please keep in touch with me so that ... I could watch him grow up - because I knew that he was bound for greatness. I knew there was something about him," says friend Imelda Burg.

Hundreds of neighbors held on to each other at Wednesday's vigil - remembering Alajawan, thinking of their own kids and searching for reasons as to why there can be such madness.

"Scripture said, 'For God so loved the world.' He didn't say he loved one set of people, he said, 'Loved the world.' And that's what the world represents, is what you see here today," said Pastor R.J. Rivers.

In the 20 shots there were fired April 29, one man ended up in the hospital. But all these days later, information is scarce about who else was involved.

Alajawan's mother says, "I'm making the plea again to whoever did this, or whoever knows something and they're not speaking up. Please, do so. My baby is gone, I'll never get him back."

The tragedy has been especially difficult on young people. They, like many others, are desperate for justice in Alajawan's name.

"One 12-year old boy - brought a community together," says one man at Wednesday's vigil.

Alajawan was remembered as a good athlete who played drums and other instruments in his church band, and enjoyed cooking.

His funeral is set for Monday, when his family says they will continue to celebrate his young life. And for that reason, they don't want anyone to wear black.