Neighbors, Friends Launch Balloons and Light Candles for Slain East Harlem Teen

Police are investigating the murder of a 17-year-old.

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By David Mora

Classmates and friends of a teenager shot and killed in East Harlem Wednesday night lit white candles this afternoon outside the building where he lived, to mourn his death.

Lewis Encarnacion, 17, was “senselessly gunned down,” outside 1502 Park Avenue, wrote Benjamin D. Gurley, commanding officer of the 23rd Precinct, on the NYPD’s Facebook page. “We can do better, East Harlem.”

Police said they are investigating a homicide but had no suspects, and asked anyone with information to come forward.

Soon after receiving a 911 call at 10 p.m., police officers and paramedics arrived at the scene and took the victim to St. Luke’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound in his torso.

Around 11:30 a.m., eight friends and fellow classmates from Heritage School gathered at Park Avenue and 110th Street, on the corner where Encarnacion was shot, to light candles. They later moved to the entrance of the Lehman Village Houses, where he lived. They commemorated their friend by writing messages  with black markers on the building’s brick walls and glass doors: “Never forget,” “Love you, bro,” and the letters LA, Encarnacion’s nickname.

The mourners, all boys, had tears in their eyes.

Later in the afternoon, more friends, classmates and neighbors gathered to release a dozen white balloons, while clapping, yelling and crying.

Minutes later, six police officers arrived and dispersed them, saying they were blocking the entrance to the building.

“Police are always late,” complained a neighbor. “The only time they’re around is when someone is dead. And now they come and won’t let them grieve.” She refused to give her name.

Police said they were continuing their investigation of the teen’s murder. This is the third homicide of the year in East Harlem, police said.

(Photo of Lehman Village Houses by David Mora)

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