Family holds memorial for Newport teen shot outside grandmother’s apartment

By: Amanda Pitts

alpitts@abc6.com

@APittsABC6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The family of a teenager killed outside of his grandmother’s apartment complex in September, held a memorial Saturday, demanding justice.

The memorial took place in the spot where 19-year-old Zacary Medina was shot and killed on Prairie Avenue.

“We don’t know nothing. It’s been almost two months and we don’t know nothing,” said Jarolin Medina, Zacary’s aunt.

Family members told us Medina was living with his aunt and uncle in Newport, and was working at McDonald’s. He was earning money to send back to his parents and little sister in the Dominican Republic.

He was at his grandmother’s apartment the night of September 22nd to drop off the cash he made.

Medina’s uncle, Ezequiel Medina, was by his nephew’s side the night he lost his life.

“It’s something that you’ll never forget. The person just came and started shooting. Everybody panicked, everybody ran. By the time we looked back, I seen my nephew on the floor.”

Police say the shooter intended the bullet for someone else, and Medina was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“How could it be the wrong spot? We’re in front of my house. This is somewhere where I grew up,” said Medina.

At the memorial, the teen was remembered for having a big heart, someone who didn’t have any enemies.

“He don’t have no problems like that with anyone. He wasn’t that type of kid looking for problems, he wasn’t in no gang.”

Loved ones say his death hasn’t gotten enough attention, and hope that with more people talking about it, someone will come forward with information.

“I don’t know who did it, I don’t know who knows. But that’s how it is out here. Nobody knows nothing.”

Providence Police say they are still investigating, and are following up on leads. No arrests have yet been made.

(c) WLNE-TV 2018