Brooklyn street renamed in memory of teen victim of gun violence

BUSHWICK, Brooklyn (PIX 11) — The community is still grieving more than a decade after a teenager lost his life to gun violence in Bushwick, in a case that remains unsolved.

His loved ones continue to keep his name alive with a street co-naming ceremony held Thursday in his honor.

The grief is still heavy for Natasha Christopher, 12 years after her son Akeal Christopher's life was tragically cut short by gun violence in Bushwick.

“I was crying earlier,” Natasha said. “It’s a cry of happiness, but it’s also a cry of pain of never being able to hold my son in my arms. Never being able to tell him I love him.

Natasha remembers being in disbelief when she received a call that her son had been shot at Evergreen Avenue and Cornelia Street. She now honors his memory in her ongoing fight for justice.

“I am angry, but I had to give some of that anger to God to continue living and being a parent to my children who needed me, but I still want justice for my son,” Natasha said.

The very intersection where Akeal was shot dead now holds a heartfelt memory as a street sign bears his name. As tears flowed from those he was closest to, the ceremony transformed into a celebration of life with expressive dancing and a band honoring the teenager cherished by many.

Since his death, Natasha has turned her pain into purpose, creating her non-profit Akeal Christopher Community Center, Inc., where she provides scholarships to community members. She also ensures that other grieving mothers never feel alone. Theresa Primus lost her daughter to gun violence a year ago.

“We all know what we're going through, so we all give each other this support, which is very important,” Primus said.

Akeal Christopher Way now forever commemorates the teenager's legacy and serves as a heartfelt reminder of the community's ongoing fight against gun violence.

Natasha said she would relentlessly seek justice for her son, no matter how long it took, and would dedicate her life, if necessary, to finding his killer.