Anti-violence fair held in memory of slain Philadelphia student

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- It has been barely a month since 15-year-old Aisha Abdur-Rahman died after she was struck and killed by a stray bullet as she walked home from Delaware Valley Charter High School.

"I think everybody just coping with the idea she's gone," said Precious Brown, 10th grader.

"She was just so nice to everybody. Why her? she doesn't deserve it," said Macha Ferguste, 10th grader.

Saturday offered fun and games but the fair urged children to listen to several anti-violence groups. It also provided outlets for students who felt trapped.

BuildOn.org was one of the groups there.

"It creates a safe place for people, a supportive environment, a positive peer group where they know they can hang out and do work in the community and also have people who will support them through tough times," said Greg Lynch, BuildOn.org.

Roots and Wings teaches kids alternative ways to deal with conflict.

"We're just teaching the actual practice of focusing on your breathing to reduce all those thoughts that are flying through your brain," said Burton Mills, Roots and Wings.

Heading God's Call, a faith-based gun violence prevention group, asked teens to help persuade gun owners not to allow straw purchases.

"So fights, like the one that caused this, are fistfights and not gun fights," said Brian Miller, Heading God's Call.

Aisha's shooting death happened off campus but organizers of Saturday's anti violence fair figured her school would be the perfect spot to hold the event - a place where many of her classmates are still grieving.

Many in attendance, agreed to sign a peace pledge, vowing to stop the violence.

"We should put the guns down and find a better way to resolve the violence, too many people are dying. There are other ways to resolve conflict," said Ferguste.

As for the suspects arrested in connection with Aisha's shooting death, they are expected to be back in court in December.