A week after a drive-by shooting on Willow Street robbed a young girls life and left another in critical condition, residents in Wellington-Harrington are looking for ways to react.

Some have called for more dialogue with the police department; others are looking for intervention from the city, and disparate groups of residents are trying to find their own way to memorialize Holmess memory.

At the June 12 funeral for 16-year-old Charlene Chay Holmes, who was shot June 3, over 400 people packed the St. Mary of Annunciation Church. The arched stone walls reverberated with Tracy Browns a cappella tribute, bringing with it muffled sobs and the crinkle of plastic Kleenex packs.

She always smiled. She was a very happy person and she hated violence, bullying; she was really against those things, said classmate Lucy Miranda.

She was really bright and vibrant, said another classmate Nathielly DeOliveira. She would express herself through her clothes and her makeup and everyday I would walk by herand shed just make everyone laugh.

DeOliveira said the funeral, the service the day before, and the vigil last week, showed just how many people supported Holmes and her family.

After the memorial, everyone came together, DeOliveira said. This just shows how close we all are. We all came to support her, the impact she had was just that big.

Thanailee Cotto Felix, 17, who was also shot June 3, remained in critical condition as of Tuesday, according to the Middlesex District Attorney's office. Cotto Felix was able to participate in Cambridge Rindge and Latin School's commencement excercise via a video feed to her hospital room June 7.

Read more from the original source:
East Cambridge community responds to Willow Street shooting