Rochester, NY--Brandon Gordon was killed while trying to stop the violence on Klueh Street Saturday night.
Brandon had distinguished himself over the past two years, going from a virtual dropout to being on high on the honor roll in just two years -- with guidance from an after school program associated with Rochester's Freedom School and supported by Rochester Area Community Foundation.
In March, talking about his experience with the program, he said, "It meant everything to me. Get me focused. Get my mind straight. I'm proud of what I've accomplished in the last year...I want to keep it going, keep it strong."
According to George Moses of the Freedom School, Brandon's success had become an example for other students at the school.
Moses said that in Saturday's situation, Brandon understood the impending violence, so he asked Cameron Williams, 19, an acquaintance of his who was holding a gun on a third party, to put the gun down.
Brandon was shot then--in the kind of violence people struggle to understand--the kind of violence the after-school program was designed to help eradicate. He was taken to Strong Hospital, and pronounced dead an hour later.
Williams was arrested.
He was arraigned Monday on a charge of 2nd degree murder.
His next court appearance is scheduled for August 25th at 11am in Judge Miller's court.
Brandon's mother, Marion Gordon said, "I'm not never going to have my son to make sure I wake up and go to church no more, my son is gone."
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Funeral arraignments are not finalized, but a service will take place at the Church of the First Born in Rochester, according to Brandon's mother.
