Newark teen's murder prompts calls for action, change

NEWARK (WABC) -- A community is in mourning and a heartbroken family is calling for action following the shooting death of a teenager in Newark.

Cheyanne Bond, a 17-year-old recent high school graduate, was shot and killed while walking with a friend on South 17th Street Sunday night. The friend, also 17, was struck as well and is recovering in the hospital.

"Everybody told me it was a blessing for her to have me, but she was a blessing to me, and I just loved her so much," said Samera Newsome, the victim's aunt, who helped raise the victim after her mother passed away. "She was just a beautiful person. Loving, caring, do anything for anybody, great, phenomenal."

At the scene, a memorial continues to grow, with balloons, candles and remembrances of this seemingly good girl and good student.

A few dozen people gathered to remember Bond on Tuesday, with friends and family calling for change to reduce gun violence.

"We need help from gun violence," a relative said. "We need help finding who is doing these things. We need help and protection for our children. They can't go to the park. They can't walk down the street. Something has to give."

"We are praying for peace in the city," Minister Thomas Ellis said. "We are praying for peace in the park. We praying that people stop shooting and killing one another."

Relatives and those who knew her say Cheyanne had big plans after graduating from Malcolm X Shabazz High School and planned to study nursing in college.

"Anyone who knew her knew she was a good girl, beautiful personality," friend Andre Crosby said. "I miss her. I wish it didn't happen...Hopefully the person will be held responsible because this family sacrificed a lot to make sure she got where she was going."

The Essex County prosecutors office released a grainy photo from the scene minutes after the shooting, showing two men walking down South 17th Street. It is unclear if the men are involved or if they witnessed anything, but police want to speak with them.

One is wearing a white short-sleeved shirt with a long-sleeved shirt underneath, brown pants and a hood, while the other is wearing blue jeans, a white T-shirt and a cap.

Anyone who recognizes them or has information related to the shooting is asked to call police. A $12,000 reward is being offered.