Exclusive: A Year Later, Family Begs For Clues In Deadly Bus Shooting
MIAMI (CBS4) - One year after Lamar Callie was gunned down on a Miami-Dade transit bus, his mother and sister appealed for the public's help at a brief memorial service off the Miami-Dade bus way.
"Today marks one year he is gone," said Callie's mother, Evelyn, in an exclusive interview with CBS4's Peter D'Oench.
"Every day I think of him, every day. I'm also devastated and hurting. He was a very cheerful person, he kept to himself," said Evelyn. "He didn't bother anybody unless somebody bothered him."
The family invited D'Oench to the service held off the bus way by U.S. 1 and Southwest 200th Street, where Callie'smother, sister, friends and fellow church members gathered as Minister Robert Miller said a prayer for the family.
"We pray to God right now that you comfort the Callie family," said Miller. "We pray that you continually comfort their hearts and minds at this time of bereavement. It's not easy to lose someone."
Twenty-four year old Callie was shot and killed on a bus on the night of June 5th, 2012 after getting into an argument with a gunman, according to Miami-Dade Police.
Despite a number of witnesses on that bus, there were no new developments in the case and Miami-Dade police have not released a description of the gunman.
Evelyn brought police flyers, balloons, stuffed animals, candles and a photo of her son to the memorial service. The flyers said the reward in this case from Miami-Dade Crimestoppers is up to $2,000.
Callie was a rapper who dreamed of becoming a chef.
Evelyn said she will never give up the mission to help police find her son's killer.
"Maybe someone will come forward if they see a picture of him and remember the incident that occurred so that they could come forward and say something to bring that person to justice," said Evelyn. "This was my only son. I had two children, now I just have one child. I think this was uncalled for and I want justice."
Miami-Dade Police said Callie had been arrested before on charges including trespassing, grand theft, disorderly conduct and aggravated battery but his loved ones said there was no reason for anyone to take his life.
"People get in trouble. People get caught. People don't get caught," said Evelyn. "A lot of people have been in trouble before."
"We remember him every day but today is very significant for us. We're showing him we miss him and we care about him," said Callie's sister, Denita Hall. "We're asking anyone with information who may have been on the bus to call police."
"It would mean a lot to me if this case was solved," said Hall. "It is very difficult to lose someone who is close to you. That was my brother and we want justice."
"It seems like nothing has been done with this case. I'm sure whoever is out there has something and they should feel something in their heart," said family friend Sandra Hill. "It's been a whole year and someone has to know something. There were lots of people on the bus; there were people who saw something."
"Think about how you'd feel if it was your child. You know who you are and you know what you did. Come forward and say something," said another family friend, Florence Brown.
Anyone with information that can help solve this case should call Miami-Dade Police or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-tips (8477).
