Vigil held for North Philadelphia mother killed in alleyway attack
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A grieving family and community gathered Friday evening to honor Keisha Furlow, a 45-year-old mother killed in a violent attack earlier in the week.
The vigil came just hours after her daughter, Hysheemah Jubilee, graduated from high school.
"I appreciate everyone for coming out," she said as she stood on North 24th Street holding her 11-month-old sister, with two younger sisters beside her.
RELATED | Mother of 4 beaten to death with brick in North Philadelphia attack
"I felt her spirit. She was with me for sure. She was definitely with me," Jubilee added.
Police say Furlow was beaten to death with bricks in an alleyway on Sunday, and two male suspects fled with her purse. Three days later, officers arrested Dawaun Lewis, 30, and charged him with murder. Investigators are still searching for a second suspect.
"Whatever happened should not have happened," Jubilee said. "My mom was very sweet. My mom was very much a bright person."
Community members, friends and local leaders joined the family, calling for safety and unity.
"That's somebody's sister, somebody's mother, somebody's daughter, and to get murdered like that, to have people amongst you like this, definitely should not be happening," said Derwood Selby, a CP1617 committee person.
"I definitely want to stand with our community to do whatever we can to make it better," said friend Alexis Stackhouse.
State Sen. Sharif Street told the crowd, "No one is going to come in and save us from the outside. There's going to be people in the community to change the community."
Jubilee said she plans to care for her three younger sisters. Stackhouse emphasized that the family will not face the burden alone.
"To graduate today and become the mother of 3 - that's a lot," she said. "She's not in this by herself. We got her."
Furlow will be laid to rest on June 23. Police are asking anyone with information to come forward.
