Family, friends share memories of 15-year-old shooting victim at vigil

CEDAR RAPIDS — A prayer vigil Wednesday night honored 15-year-old Aaron Richardson, who was shot and killed over the weekend.

Police said Richardson was taken to the hospital Sunday night after arriving at home with gunshot wounds, where he later died.

A Cedar Rapids church organized the event at Redmond Park, which was also attended by several of his neighbors, friends and family members. They walked to the park to show support and remember the boy.

'This is family, this is the people he knew cared about him,' said Latazia Towns, a friend of Richardson. 'I think he's smiling down on us and wants us to be strong.'

That strength is what several people said they're drawing from as they shared happy memories of Richardson, who many remember as a good-natured prankster and class clown.

'One time, when mommy had to go do something and all the girls were asleep, Aaron was up by himself. He got a cup and went in the bathroom,' said Richardson's younger sister, Karmen Clark. 'He got some toilet water and poured it on my sister.'

Classmates said Richardson could make anyone smile.

'He was always the person who kept you laughing,' said Richardson's girlfriend, Lanajah Towns. 'He was irritating, but the funny kind of irritating. You could never be mad at Aaron.'

Richardson's older brother, Troy, joined in the vigil and spoke directly to Richardson while family and friends hugged him.

'I'm sorry, I was supposed to be a better big brother to you,' he said. 'We made a deal two days before you died.'

A second event to honor Richardson will happen Friday night. People will gather at Redmond Park at 5 p.m. and march to Richardson's home nearby. Organizers are asking everyone to wear red, which they said was his favorite color.