'He did not deserve this' Family say their last goodbyes for 18-year-old killed by Harlem gang in case of mistaken identity
Denzel Bimpey studied business at SUNY Morrisville and had just wrapped up his first semester when he was homebound for the holidays.
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A family said their final goodbyes to 18-year-old Denzel Bimpey, a Morrisania college student who was killed in a case of mistaken identity.
Despite being in mourning, the gathering at East End Funeral Home in Williamsbridge was also a celebration of Denzel Bimpey's life.
"He was just a beacon of hope" said family friend MoKo Soumano.
"Denzel always knew how to light up a room. His smile was so contagious, and he is genuinely just a funny person," said his cousin Lenette Nti-Agyemang.
The radiant smile of Denzel Bimpey was printed on necklaces and T-shirts worn by his relatives.
"It's definitely been hard on the family this entire month. It's going to be hard around the holidays, definitely for years to come," says his brother Gideon Bimpey.
"For me it's been really hard. I know he did not deserve this, and his killer is still out on the loose. It's really hard and really frustrating," Nti-Agyemang said.
Denzel Bimpey had dreams of creating a better life for his family. That mission began when he left for college at SUNY Morrisville, following in the footsteps of his older siblings.
"He was trying to get us out, he was going to be the one, but things didn't happen as planned," Gideon Bimpey said.
Denzel Bimpey had just wrapped up his first semester when he was homebound for the holidays.
According to police, he got on a bus coming home from college on Dec. 15 in Manhattan. He was approached by three men in a known Harlem gang. Police say they believe the men thought he was someone else and the conversation turned violent. The victim was stabbed three times.
No arrests have been made nearly a month after the fatal stabbing, but police have identified 18-year-old Thiero Bah as a person of interest.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
