Dozens in the Canarsie community came out to the Bayview houses to rally against gun violence, just feet away from where 15-year-old Javel Lawton was fatally shot on Tuesday.  

MORE: Police: 15-year-old fatally shot outside Bay View Houses in Canarsie

Community members and anti-violence advocates mourned the loss of Javel, who was struck by gunfire and killed just a few feet from his childhood home.  

“It’s someone that’s been part of Bayview Housing Christmas parties with me, I knew the family,” said City Council member Mercedes Narcisse.  

“Javel was not lost, he was murdered, let’s get that straight!” said Ms. “I stand here today… we stand here as mothers who know the pain that Miss Lawton is going through,” said Oresa Napper-Williams, CEO and founder of Not Another Child.  

Javel’s family has created the Javel Lawton Legacy Fund in his honor to support children affected and impacted by the trauma of gun violence. Click here to donate.