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Mater Academy community plans vigil for 16-year-old Steven Carroll Jr.
Steven Carroll Jr., a Las Vegas student and athlete known as “Buddah,” was killed in a shooting after going to check on a cousin, his mother says. His family is asking anyone with information to contact police and says it wants justice, not retaliation.
LAS VEGAS — Family and friends will gather Sunday evening at Mater Academy East to remember Steven Carroll Jr., a 16-year-old student and athlete who was fatally shot after going to check on a cousin, according to his mother.
Mekala Hal said her son woke her before leaving to help a cousin involved in a dispute with the father of her child. “My baby didn’t make it home to me,” she said.
Carroll, known to loved ones as “Buddah,” played football and basketball. His mother described him as a child with a future ahead of him and said she wants to counter claims that his death was connected to gang violence. “My baby is innocent,” she said.
His father, Steven Carroll, said his son cared deeply about others. His grandmother, Delona Partridge, urged anyone with information to contact police and rejected retaliation. “We don’t want street justice. We want justice for Buddah,” she said.
Partridge also cautioned against associating Black children with gangs and gun violence, saying gun violence affects people across communities and income levels.
A candlelight vigil is planned for 6 p.m. Sunday at Mater Academy East. Relatives and friends are also organizing a barbecue and bake sale fundraiser starting at noon Saturday near Owens Avenue and H Street. A GoFundMe campaign has been created to help with funeral expenses.