The New Haven community is mourning the death of a 16-year-old high school junior and standout baseball player who was shot and killed over the weekend in front of his home.
Jericho Scott was leaning into a Volkswagen hatchback early Sunday outside his house on Exchange Street near Blatchley Avenue when someone who was driving or running by opened fire into the car, according to his family.
"I heard the gunshots and I ran to the window, and I heard everybody screaming his name, and so we ran down there," explained his mother, Nicole Scott.
She called 911 as the teen's father performed CPR. Doctors were unable to save him.
Scott, a talented baseball player and junior at Wilbur Cross High School, died at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Police said Justin Compress, 20, and Tyrese Little, 19, were also shot but survived.
Authorities believe the teens were specifically targeted.
Scott's mother showed off his trophies Monday and said she still can't believe he's gone.
"I haven't slept yet. I tried but I couldn't. I keep thinking I'm going to wake up from a bad dream, but it's not happening," Nicole Scott said. "You get to the point that you cry so much that nothing comes out anymore."
She said her son started making headlines on the baseball field when he was 9 years old, throwing pitches so fast that other Little League teams refused to play against him.
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Now he's making headlines again, but for reasons far too tragic.
"No parent deserves to bury their child, no parent," said his father, Leroy Scott. "You shouldn't have to bury your child."
Police have not made any arrests in connection with the case. Jericho Scott's parents said they want justice to be served.
"I just want the person responsible to pay. They'll never suffer the way I'm suffering, but I want them to pay," Nicole Scott said.
Wilbur Cross High School brought in grief counselors on Monday to provide support to students affected by their classmate's death.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with this child's family, his friends and with the entire school district community," New Haven Supt. Garth Harries said in a statement. "While the complex circumstances surrounding the loss of this child leave us deeply saddened and perplexed, we stand resolved to find ways to bring an end to these acts of violence among our city youth, and engage all students on positive paths for their future."
New Haven police have been interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence in an effort to track down the perpetrator.
Anyone with information is asked to call New Haven detectives at 203-946-6304.
