SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — Family members of a Sumter boy found shot and killed one day before his 16th birthday vowed to honor his life and celebrate the birthday that was stolen from him on Friday.
Derrick Wilson's aunt, Cynthia, spoke on Friday, standing alongside his mother.
“We are planning to do a balloon release today, as well, to celebrate his birthday,” said Cynthia. “I got up and choked this morning -- what I was going to cook for him for his birthday.”
Cynthia said the family will miss having Derrick's cheerful spirit around.
“He loved to crack jokes on anybody, you know. He was just a joyous person and the apple of his mama's eye, so just keep her in prayer," Cynthia said. "All of us need it so bad.”
Derrick was last seen on Tuesday leaving a relative's home on Meadow Circle and getting into a car with two unknown people. Family members reported him missing on Wednesday. On Thursday, Sumter Police found him dead from a gunshot wound in the area of Hoyt and Nelson streets.
Authorities announced on Friday that 17-year-old Jaylen Hammet was in custody charged with accessory before the fact of murder, and an active search is underway in Clarendon County for 20-year-old Ja’Hugh Martin, who is wanted for murder and other possible charges.
A man who lives in the area said this isn’t the first time something like this has happened, and neighbors don’t want to see another situation like it happen again.
“It got better but this is the first time I think this year that anything has happened over there,” said the resident. “I mean understand who wants to live in a neighborhood where someone is getting killed no one does but the sad truth is that’s any place now.”
Cynthia says the family is going to honor Wilson.
“We will continue to keep CD’s name alive he may not be here physically but he’s always going to be in our heart, always and we’re going to keep his name alive,” said Cynthia. “What happened and how it happened we can’t change that but what we can change that but what we can change is what we do from now on.”
Sumter Police officers are still investigating Derrick Wilson’s death, and an autopsy is scheduled on Monday, July 29.