Candlelight Vigil Planned for 6-Year-Old Killed While Riding His Bicycle

A candlelight vigil will take place in memory of the young child killed while riding his bicycle in Utica.

On August 2nd, 2017 6-year-old Qasir Lee Brown was struck by a neighbor backing his SUV out his driveway.

Organizers of the vigil, "Justice for Qasir," allege that the white neighbor driving the vehicle that struck the young child did so in a violent rage and used racist hate speech before and after Qasir was killed.

According to a release from organizers,

Representatives of the Utica Police Department and the Mayor's Office have only told the family what they can't do to help provide justice, and not what they can do. They have refused to release the name of the man who struck Qasir.  There is no confidence on the part of the family, local clergy and teachers, or neighbors that a serious investigation is underway or that there is any intent by the District Attorney to pursue justice.

Local activist groups have decided to shine a light on the tragedy in the wake of the events in Charlottesville. The group claims, "There will be no justice for a child of color unless the community stands up for the family and the neighbors, many of whom witnessed the killing of Qasir on the sidewalk just a few doors down from his home."

The vigil will take place on Thursday, August 17th, 2017 at 128 Boyce Street in Utica, NY. The vigil will run from 5:30-6:30 p.m.