Mourners march in honor of teen shot dead during cousin’s wake

MIRAMAR, FLA. (WSVN) - A South Florida community took to the streets to pay tribute to a teen, nearly one week after he was shot and killed during a wake for his cousin, another victim of gun violence.

Friday evening, a large group of mourners marched to a park in Miramar where 15-year-old Isaiah Solomon used to play sports.

Even though the tribute looked like a party to kick off Labor Day weekend, the solemn occasion was anything but. Loved ones embraced and comforted each other, and they later released balloons in the teen’s honor.

Sirena Harrell, Isaiah’s mother, said her son was very dear to her. “My son played such a vital role in my life,” she said.

The fatal shooting took place near Northwest 83rd Terrace and 19th Avenue, in Northwest Miami-Dade, on Saturday, at around 12:40 a.m. Isaiah and family friend Tafari Dorsett were killed, and four others sustained gunshot injuries.

“He was only 15. He needed to be a child,” said a mourner at the tribute.

The grieving mother first spoke to 7News about the shooting last Saturday evening. “I packed his bags and I allowed him to go down there to be supportive,” she said. “I feel like if I didn’t let him go, it wouldn’t have happened to him.”

Now, Harrell wants to raise awareness about the need to help end acts of gun violence that claim so many young lives. “We need to speak out within our own community and start snitching,” she said.

Loved ones said Isaiah aspired to become an FBI agent. “Isaiah meant so much to me and to so many other people,” said Harrell.

Isaiah’s teammates from his youth basketball league took it especially hard, and they were comforted by their father and coach, Ashaan Addison. “It’s not supposed to be this way,” said Addison.

“It’s very hard,” Harrell told her son’s teammates. “Isaiah was a tremendous kid.”

The 15-year-old wasn’t the only young gun violence victim in the past week, and not the youngest, either. Eight-year-old Jada Paige died on Tuesday after she and her father were shot outside their Northwest Miami-Dade home, Sunday afternoon.

Jada’s father, James, is recovering.

“You could never imagine what it feels like,” Jada’s mother told 7News.

Harrell knows that family’s pain. “I don’t wish this feeling on nobody,” she said.

Members of the Broward Sheriff’s Office were on hand during the balloon release to comfort family members.

If you have any information on either of these shootings, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.

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