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Funeral For Teen Killed In Dorchester Shooting 'Touches Our Hearts'

DORCHESTER (CBS) -- A funeral service was held Thursday for 17-year-old Raekwon Brown, the Jeremiah Burke High School student gunned down outside the school last week.

As his body arrived at the Charles St. AME Church in Roxbury family members held each other for support. His mother and father made the painful journey into the church that was packed with family and friends trying to understand why.

"He was a good kid, he didn't deserve to die like that," said Brown's cousin Teresa Coney.

"I know police are doing what they can but the public can do a lot too. They can come forward because they know," said his aunt Betty Coney.

The search continues for the killer, but it was a service of celebration for Brown also known as Ray Ray.

"He was a wonderful student, a good young man and very respectful," said a former teacher Karen Bynoe.

Another teacher Zakiah Williams said Brown was so humble he'd be overwhelmed by the service. "He's looking down now in amazement," said Williams.

Brown's name was held aloft with balloons inside the church and his cousin held back tears trying to read a poem in his honor. "Though you walk through heaven's gate we're never far apart. Every time I think of you it's deep in my heart," read Damien Brown.

It's unclear if Brown was targeted but his death has become a rallying cry. "If you're a gangbanger play the game with people that want to play the game. Leave innocent folks alone," said Rev. Dwayne Frazier of the Kingdom Movement Church who delivered the eulogy.

"This one really touches our hearts," said Boston Police Superintendent-In-Chief William Gross. "We all have children. We all know folks that have children. Seventeen, that's too young, and we ask for everyone's commitment to help make a change."

As the casket was loaded onto a horse drawn buggy, students formed a chain around the family for support. "We're all devastated, and if God is willing we'll get through it," said Brown's aunt Debbie Boykins.

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