DANIA BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A South Florida family is asking for the community’s help as they prepare to say a final farewell to a loved one who was shot and killed on Christmas Day.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, 25-year-old Christopher Jordan was walking home, near Northwest Sixth Avenue and Northwest Second Street, in Dania Beach, at around 8:30 p.m., when he was shot.
Wednesday afternoon, the victim’s father, Stanley Jordan, returned to the scene of his son’s shooting, where a small memorial has been set up. “He was very loved. He was a good kid. He was a very good kid,” said Stanley.
The memorial included teddy bears, balloons, candles, Christopher’s favorite baseball cap and his preferred snack. “Swiss Rolls, which were his favorite snacks. Black and red were his favorite colors,” said Stanley.
Stanley said the victim’s grandmother said Christopher, or C.J., as he’s referred to by his family, was on the phone with her at the time of the shooting. “She heard like a tire, you know, like a car [screeching] and, ‘pow, pow, pow, pow, pow,'” he said. “He was trying to say something, but she couldn’t quite make it out, which is really eating her up right now.”
Christopher never got back on the phone. He was rushed to an area hospital, where he later died.
Police in Tallahassee arrested the suspect, identified as 19-year-old Arvis Yatil Brown, Friday afternoon, shortly after he bailed out of a vehicle.
Investigators said, days after Christopher’s shooting, Brown was trying to silence other potential witnesses. They said Brown had something to do with a Dec. 28 shooting, along Northwest Ninth Avenue, near Second Street, that claimed the life of Christopher’s 8-year-old cousin, Rasheed Cunningham.
Relatives said another male cousin of Cunningham tried to shield the boy and was injured.
“I’m glad that they caught the zealot in this crime, but at the same time, it won’t bring my son back,” he said. “I believe in forgiveness. I forgive him, but he took my only son away from me, and what’s due to him is due to him.”
Nearly two weeks after Christopher’s death, the family is making arrangements for his funeral, but Stanley, who had recently moved to South Florida, told 7News they are unable to cover the expenses. “Due to my relocation, as well as my job, we have a financial burden to where we’re not able to afford the cost of the funeral, which is $7,300,” he said.
Stanley added that his son was planning to go back to school to become a plumber and was getting his life on track.
His family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral costs. If you would like to make a donation, click here.
Detectives said Brown had an accomplice at the time of the Dec. 25 shooting ,who was driving the truck from where he shot at Christopher. That individual remains at large.
If you have any information on that driver’s whereabouts, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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