Family Mourns East Bay Teen Who Accidently Shot Self
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EMERYVILLE: Vigil Remembers Boy Who Killed Himself In Accidental Shooting [Amber Lee]
Updated on: 2010-08-18 13:40:23
Family and friends of a Bay Area teenager gathered for an emotional vigil Tuesday night in Emeryville.
Police said 15-year-old Markell Goodwin accidentally shot and killed himself in front of his younger brother while playing with a loaded handgun at a relative's home Monday night.
On the football field of Emery High School, family and friends gathered to remember the teen while trying to teach other children a lesson about guns.
"One of the kids I coached in 2006 passed away last night 'cause of a gun," said youth football coach Todd Walker.
Walker said he coached Markell and his brother. He spoke to dozens of children about the dangers of guns.
The shooting happened at the home of the boys' aunt in Oakland. Police said the fatal shooting appears to be an accident and that the boys brought the gun to the home.
But investigators were still trying to determine who the firearm belongs to.
The boys' mother Sharon Piert told KTVU she doesn't know how her sons got a hold of a gun.
"Kids don't know if it's loaded or not," said Piert. "I don't think anyone should have a loaded gun around the house."
Family and friends said the two brothers were known as the Goodwin twins, even though they were two years apart in age.
"They were always best friends. They were always together. It was never one without the other," recalled family friend Glenda Hammonds.
The younger brother was questioned by police last night and was later released.
Family members said he hasn't talked much about the incident and remained in shock as he tries to deal with Markell's death.
"He used to make everybody smile. I'm going to miss him so much," said their sister Mikela Goodwin.
The family released heart-shaped balloons at the vigil in memory of Markell. They said his death he leaves a void that can't be filled.
Markell just celebrated his 15th birthday this past weekend was supposed to start the tenth grade later this month. Now his grief-stricken family is faced with planning his funeral.
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Víctor Lei
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