In a heart-wrenching incident, 13-year-old Troy Gill was shot and killed while walking home from a Brooklyn Nets game. As the community grapples with the tragic loss, Troy’s mother, Mary Culbertson, spoke out for the first time, remembering her son as a vibrant and kind-hearted boy.
She vehemently denied any implication that Troy was involved in a gang, emphasizing that he was just a 13-year-old who did not deserve such a fate.
Troy was walking alone near the corner of New York Ave. and Bergen Ave. in Crown Heights when a gunman fired shots, hitting him multiple times in the chest and arm. Despite being linked to a local street gang, known as the Trench Crew, Troy’s family insists he was not involved in any gang activities.
“He was not in a gang. He was a great boy,” stated Culbertson firmly. Troy’s stepfather, Joseph Ward, echoed this sentiment, expressing a desire to change the narrative surrounding Troy. “He loved to dance. He did James Brown and Michael Jackson impressions,” Ward shared, highlighting Troy’s joyful and creative spirit.
According to Culbertson, Troy was a friend to everyone, emphasizing his inclusive and friendly nature. “He was your friend, no matter who you were or where you were,” she tearfully explained. She believes the tragedy may have occurred because someone felt Troy shouldn’t be friends with a particular person.
Troy’s stepfather described him as having a big personality and a spirit that would live on through those who loved him. “He was tiny but mighty. The earth was his turf,” Ward added, pointing to the outpouring of love and support evident in the makeshift memorial created by the community.
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Troy’s untimely death has left his family devastated, with Culbertson expressing the pain of a parent having to bury their child. “There are no words. Parents shouldn’t have to bury their kids. It’s a nightmare,” Ward shared.
As the community gathers to remember Troy, police continue their efforts to track down the gunman responsible for this senseless act. The search for justice is intertwined with the collective mourning of a neighbourhood that has lost a beloved teenager.
