By Heart of Illinois ABC
BLOOMINGTON – A family is remembering their 17-year-old son after his shooting death in Bloomington nearly two weeks ago, asking “how,” “why,” and “who.”
Kanye Stowers died Friday, April 8 from a gunshot wound in front of a home on Mill Street in Bloomington. We met his family there today as they went to the scene for the first time, laying rose petals where he died.
“He didn’t deserve what happened to him,” Kanye’s mom Tomeka Love. “He didn’t deserve it.”
Stowers lived in Peoria and was a student at Richwoods High School. He was an aspiring psychologist and rapper. His cap and gown were already purchased.
“He didn’t get to sit in his seat,” Kanye’s aunt Linda Randoe said. “He didn’t get to graduate with his class. Kanye was 17. He didn’t have a life.”
“He always had a smile on his face,” Kanye’s older sister Lacorria Stowers said. “Even when he had a hard time, he would still make sure everyone would be ok.”
Two weeks later, the answers about who did this and why this happened still aren’t clear.
“If anybody know anything, heard something, seen something, speak! Speak!,” she said. “Because a closed mouth, we ain’t gonna hear you.”
Love says she wants more from city investigators and planned to speak to Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington Thursday.
“This ain’t just me speaking for my son, or me coming forward,” Love said. “There’s a lot of other mothers out here in the same position…His name will never be forgotten.”
Bloomington Police did not respond to a request for comment, but they are investigating. Two weeks ago, Chief Simington offered his condolences and asked for the public’s help to find Kanye’s killer.
