Rhawnhurst family grieving the loss of 17-year-old killed in hit-and-run
PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - A family is pleading for a hit-and-run driver to come forward after a 17-year-old was killed early Sunday morning.
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"The family is devastated right now because of the loss of my son," said John Gbaa. The family is grieving the loss of his son 17-year-old John Gbaa. Police say a driver hit their loved one early Sunday morning on the 7600 block of the Boulevard and kept going.
"If this person will please we beg you, please turn yourself in," said Gbaa.
On Monday, the family gathered to try to comfort each other sharing memories of John who they called JJ for John Junior. He was in the 11th grade, hoped to one day start his own business and they say he loved being around family.
"All of his cousins are devastated right now because they all do things together, they walk together, they were looking forward to thanksgiving to be together," said the victim's aunt Naomi Gbaa-Tailey.
Eva Gbaa says she spoke to her nephew the evening before it happened and that he told her he was going to Target not far from their home on Algon Avenue. She says he never returned that night. She called his phone until the early morning hours.
"No one wants to bury their child especially when they're 17 years old. They're just having dreams and life," said Eva.
Police believe the driver was in a 2007/2008 Chevy Malibu or Impala. They say they found a left side mirror and headlight fragments at the scene. Investigators say the car will have damage to the left side headlight. The family started a small memorial on the road where that driver took John's life.
"We want justice. Turning yourself in won't bring him back to life but at least we have some justice," said his father.