Family mourns young boy killed during Newark police chase

NEWARK (WABC) -- Family and friends will come together Saturday for the funeral of a 3-year-old run down in New Jersey during a police chase.

A service will be held for Rahmere Tullis, of Newark, who was killed Sept. 11. Visitation began at 9 a.m., with the funeral at 10 a.m. at the Christian Pentecostal Church in Irvington.

Rahmere Tullis was standing near the intersection of 15th Avenue and South 7th Street in Newark when a car jumped the curb and hit him as he stood on the sidewalk with his mother.

Troy Ruff's car crashed into a tree before hitting the toddler. Ruff, 22, had been fleeing from police.

"Without the police, our community would be lawless, but we don't need aggressive policing - we don't need innocent children losing their lives because of a chase," said Thomas Ellis.

Ruff was arrested and is charged with aggravated manslaughter, vehicular homicide and eluding the police, in addition to the charges stemming from the May incident.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka called Rahmere's death in a statement "a tragic loss." "This tragedy touches us on so many levels and the loss of young Rahmere is felt in our homes, our neighborhoods, our communities and throughout Newark."