Roberto Luna was shot to death Saturday near South Spaulding Avenue and West 46th Street just before 10 p.m. by two men who emerged from a gangway and opened fire, police said. A 15-year-old boy and another boy, 16, with Luna were also wounded.
Roberto was one of four killed in weekend gun violence that also wounded 19 others.
"There is nothing I can say or do," said Erik Lopez, Roberto's half-brother. "He will never come back."
Another brother, Mario Lopez, said he was about three houses away when he heard the first gunshot.
"I ran over here," Mario Lopez said. "He tried to get up. I was holding him in my arms. He passed away in my arms."
The seventh-grader at Irene Hernandez Middle School was shot in the head and body. His 15-year-old friend was shot in the forearm and thigh while the 16-year-old was hit in the arm.
The mother of one of Serafin Gonzalez, who was wounded in the shooting, said her son told her their attackers asked what gang they were in. When the teens said they were not part of a gang, the gunmen still opened fire.
"He was just enjoying some time outside with his friends and they just shot him for no reason," Maria Gonzalez said.
Witnesses said the gunmen ran back into the same gangway. So far, no one is in custody.
"We have to do something about this," said family friend Natalie Giron. "We have to start talking to people again, bring back the community."
A picture of Roberto, flowers, candles and other symbols of love have been placed on the porch where he perished. He is being remembered as a good kid, who loved school, watching movies and playing basketball.
"Everybody loved him," Lopez said. "He was a good kid."
