NEW HAVEN, CT (WFSB) — Seven years after their teenage son was shot and killed, Jericho Scott’s parents, along with the New Haven Police Department, continue their search for answers.
It’s seven years since Jericho was killed on Tuesday, but it’s a pain his parents live with every single day.
Nicole and Leroy Scott spent some time with the New Haven police chief as the lead detective in the case.
As for Jericho’s parents, they say they will never forget what happened on this day and they don’t want others to do the same.
On April 19, 2015, Jericho, just 16, was shot while sitting in a car on Exchange Street in the Fair Haven section of the city.
Police say another car fired multiple shots, killing the teenager.
“He was a sweet kid, he was kind, he was kind. He was athletic, intelligent, he was loved by a lot of people,” said Leroy Scott, Jericho’s father.
“All he did was joke and laugh. What happened to him was not worth it. He should be here now,” said Jericho’s mom, Nicole Scott.
A star baseball player, Jericho first made headlines as a 9-year-old when his youth league didn’t let him pitch because he threw too hard and was just too good.
While his parents look to his past, their eyes are fixed on the future, especially helping the police find their son’s killer.
“We need answers. The police department has done so much in the case of Jericho alone that it’s unbelievable, but it’s a guy in the community who knows and if you know something he shouldn’t have to take $50,000 to say something, Leroy said.
On Tuesday, the Chief of New Haven stopped by the leading homicide detective to accompany the Scots, letting them know they were still working on their case.
“New Haven Police Department, including me, we haven’t forgotten about Jericho’s case, but I can’t even begin to stress the fact that people in the community have to talk. The police can’t do it alone,” Sgt. Bertram Etienne said.
Police say another person was also shot that night and that Jericho was not the intended target, but even with the $50,000 reward, the case remains unsolved.
“Based on the facts of the investigation, we know there are people out there who know exactly what happened on April 19, 2015. We need people who aren’t comfortable to go ahead and talk to us,” Etienne said.
Without that help, it would be difficult to find the killer.
“It is not just about our son, it is all matters. Somebody saw what happened to our son, to other people’s sons, to other people’s family members. If no one comes forward, things like this will keep happening,” Nicole said.
This is something that both the parents and the police are determined not to let happen.
“It’s been seven years, we’ve been hurting for a long time, we need to close this case,” Leroy said. “We want justice for Jericho, Jericho deserves justice.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact New Haven Police.
On Saturday morning, the families will meet in Crisculo Park at the corner of Chapel and James Street for a march against gun violence and to remind the community that the murder remains unsolved, seven years later.
Justice for Jericho Scott
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