Vigil held for 10-year-old boy shot on way home from school, gunman sought

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Thursday, November 14, 2019
Gunman still sought after boy shot on way home from school
Gunman still sought after boy shot on way home from school. Bob Brooks has more on Action News at 11 p.m. on November 13, 2019.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A community is coming to a mother's aid after her 10-year-old son was shot last week on his way home from school.

On November 6, 10-year-old Semaj O'Branty was shot in the back of the head walking home from school in the Frankford section of Philadelphia.

On Wednesday night, church members gathered for a prayer vigil.

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But before they made it to the scene, the group met at the church to walk and sing, arm in arm.

The grim reality is the boy is in bad shape, he may never walk again. They prayed for God to give him to strength to do so.

WATCH: VIDEO CAPTURES MOMENT GUNMAN OPENS FIRE, INJURING BOY

Captain John Walker with the Philadelphia Police Department says the suspects who fired from the red Pontiac G6 are still at large.

"We haven't gotten many tips at this point. We're concerned about that," Walker said.

Police have charged O'Branty's uncle, who returned fire at the Pontiac.

The man, identified as 22-year-old Ernest Richardson, was charged with recklessly endangering another person, possession of an instrument of crime and violations of the uniform firearms act.

Police said the shooting was drug-related.

"We're hopeful with the amount of people who showed up here tonight. We're hopeful for more energy and to try to get these people off the street," said Walker.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police at 215-686-TIPS.

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