Rochester, N.Y.—Police continue to look for clues that could lead them to a suspect in the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Max King.
According to his family, King had walked his cousin to the bus stop near North Goodman and Short Streets. His cousin got on the bus and left, that’s when police say someone shot King multiple times in the stomach.
Several people made 911 calls, so police know there were witnesses, but they say the witnesses are not cooperating.
On Friday, King’s football team thought of ways to honor him through the season. King’s mother says her son loved to play football. He was set to play quarterback for the Rochester Rams Pop Warner football team this season.
“A lot of [his teammates] are taking it hard,” says Dave Baker, the vice (no hyphen) president of the Rochester Rams. “They are getting pulled out of the scrimmage on Saturday because they are trying to focus. It's hard to lose someone like that. You're saying, ‘I was just doing exercises next to that guy yesterday’.”
According to King’s coach Michael McGee, King’s teammates will wear his initials “M.K.” on their helmets the rest of the season. Also, another teammate suggested praying after every practice and every game for King and his family.
“They want to play inspired football for him and I am going to be inspired as well,” McGee says. “This whole season is going to be for Max.”
Baker says his league strives to keep their athletes away from trouble and off the streets.
“We try to tell them ‘Don't be in the wrong place. Go home. Keep yourself clean. Keep yourself out of trouble. Watch who you're hanging with,’” says Baker. “Unfortunately, you try to save everyone and you know you can’t. You got to try anyways.”
Baker says that he is hopeful for his athletes’ futures and he also hopes to see a change in Rochester.
“Am I afraid for them? No, because I know a change is going to come,” he said. “A change will come for all of them. May be this will do it.”
