Hundreds Attend Funeral Service For Boy Killed In Nail Salon Shooting
FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – Family and friends of a 10-year old boy who was killed in his family's nail salon during a robbery last month gathered for their final goodbyes.
A funeral mass for Aaron Vu was held Monday at St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church in Southwest Ranches. A burial service will follow.
Vu's casket was surrounded by those who loved him as they gathered, filled with inconsolable pain.
"It's a difficult process and it's gonna be a lot of time to heal," said Rom Solomon a neighbor.
Those who knew Aaron described the fifth grader as a fun-loving playful boy.
"Very playful, very nice, he would say hello to everybody and we would just touch his little cheeks," said Jasmine Barclay, also a neighbor.
Solomon added, "He was energetic, he's the life if the party in the neighborhood where we live so it's a sad thing."
Vu was killed last month when two men fired shots during a robbery at his parents nail salon in northwest Miami-Dade. His father Hai Nam vu was also shot and is still recovering.
Police arrested Anthawn Ragan, but they are still looking for a second man caught on surveillance cameras.
"Why do you have to kill? Stop the killing that's my message these are children they haven't lived any life yet let them live for god sake let them live," implored Barclay.
"While loved ones laid Aaron to rest, his classmates at Northwest Christian Academy returned to school for the first time since their friend was killed."
"We used to sit together. We used to go to PE together. We used to do everything together," said Jaylin Bain, a friend.
One of his best friends remembers the last time he saw Aaron before they went on Thanksgiving break.
"He gave me a big smile and now I will always remember him like that," said Willie Flowers.
"Parents who had a hard time explaining the tragedy to their children are comforted to know grief counselors are on hand to help.
"We're sad, devastated. My son is very upset," explained Qawanda Bain, a parent.
"It's very hard. He's asking questions," Willie Flowers told CBS4's Gaby Fleischman. "He's in a better place."
While family and friends say goodbye, the investigation continues.
Ragan faces several charges including first degree murder with a firearm and armed robbery with a firearm.
&
