Mott Haven community gathers for a vigil to honor 14-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed
Caleb’s family sat courtside at the basketball game, which took place outside of their Bronx apartment building.
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The Mott Haven community gathered on Friday for a memorial basketball game and vigil to honor 14-year-old Caleb Rijos, who was stabbed and killed while on his way to school.
“[Caleb] had the biggest heart, and he wanted to be a football player and take care of his family,” said Kayla Torres, Caleb’s cousin. “There’s no better person in this world.”
Caleb’s family sat courtside at the basketball game, which took place outside of their Bronx apartment building.
The event was held one week after police said the teen was stabbed twice in the chest during a random, unprovoked attack.
“We are supposed to trust the [justice] system,” Torres said. “We are supposed to trust our government and the state, and they failed us.”
The NYPD arrested and charged 29-year-old Waldo Mejia in connection with Caleb’s murder.
Police said the Bronx man has several arrests and mental health problems.
“Unfortunately, we have to suffer now because of [the city's] failure,” Torres said.
Before the basketball game, the community gathered for a balloon release and vigil to demand justice for Caleb, who was a freshman football player at Bronx Leadership Academy.
“[Caleb was] such a nice kid, such a beautiful kid,” said Delnyse, who said she went to elementary school with the victim. “If the room was dark, he was always the light of the mood.”
His family is vowing to continue their fight.
“We hope that this never has to happen to any other family and the system recognizes their failure,” Torres said.
