Family begs for answers after 15-year-old Chicago boy shot 24 times

A 15-year-old Chicago boy who was on his way to buy snacks at a local gas station lost his life after he was shot 24 times. According to WGN-TV, the February 12 incident happened in the Chicago Lawn community. The victim was identified as Sincere Cole.

In an interview with the news outlet, the deceased teen’s aunt, Brandy Martin, said the incident had left her in shock.

“Sincere was creative, ambitious. An entrepreneur at 15. He found a way,” Martin said. “Standing at the gas station pumping people’s gas to make money; it’s better than knocking an old lady in the head for her purse. He didn’t have to die.”

Cole’s family has also sent a public plea to people who may know something about the shooting to come forward. “My nephew balled up and pleaded for his life,” Martin said. “Somebody say something.”

“Someone seen something. Please speak out,” Martin added. “Don’t wait for it to happen to you, and you have to stand in front of these cameras and ask for the same help you refuse to give.”

Martin, who is the deceased teen’s legal guardian, also said her sister and Cole’s mother passed away in 2019, PEOPLE reported. She also added her 22-year-old daughter was killed that same year. Investigators are yet to solve that case.

“I’ve got to stand up here and scream from inside out and make sure I get the word out so he won’t be another name, another number, another tag,” Martin said. “Don’t forget about us because we’re put in areas that (are) low income.”

Meanwhile, a $5,000 reward for information that could lead to an arrest in Cole’s murder has been tabled by the Faith Community Church of Saint Sabina. “He’s got siblings who are hurting. He has a father. I am pleading for help from my city to bury my nephew,” Martin said. “We need help, we need grief counseling.”