Republished from CBS
Maria Azuri led the charge in her Kirkwood community Friday night. She brought her neighbors together for a candlelight vigil after someone shot and killed 57-year-old Tony Collins.
“A man was shot in the head and murdered about 20 paces from where our kids play every single day and that can never happen again,” said Azuri.
Police said Collins was talking on his cell phone and walking near Ridgedale and Norwood Avenue when someone drove by and shot him.
“We have a terrible problem when someone can be murdered where babies and toddlers are running around playing in broad daylight,” Azuri said.
Azuri said she and her neighbors want more vigilance. They want more police presence in their community.
This is the second time one of their neighbors was shot in broad daylight.
“I was just weed-whacking the grass over there,” said Ken Hagen.
Hagen is still recovering. In Aug. 2009, he was shot three times while mowing his lawn.
Police arrested 18-year-old Terrance Hambrick. The said robbery was his motive.
“It’s very troubling to know there are people walking these streets more than capable, more than willing to shoot and kill somebody. That really bothers me,” said Hagen.
Hagen said he didn’t know Collins but it troubles him to know he was shot only a few blocks away.
Police have not caught Collins’ killer. Members of his family attended the vigil.
“If you saw something, please speak up and speak out,” said Collins’ niece Ashley Collins.
