One by one, classmates of 10-year-old Justin Wallace reflected on his murder and remembered their friend during a vigil in his honor at their school Challenge Preparatory Charter School on Thursday evening.
Wallace was scheduled to graduate from the 5th grade, at the school, within days of his death.
Instead, more than 100 parents, students, teachers and community members came to the event to honor his short life.
Justin’s mother and sister were among those in attendance and, despite their grief, shared their memories of Justin and their pain in losing him so young.
“I didn’t know I would have to bury my son. I thought he would have to bury me,” said Aretha Douglas Wallace, Justin’s mother.
Several of the other speakers who came used their time before the crowd to call for an end to the gun violence that took Wallace’s life.
Others called attention to another issue that’s been raised time after time this week.
A number of community members have begun to call for the creation of a Level 1 trauma center in the Rockaways.
Currently, the only hospital in the area is St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, which is not a Level 1 trauma center.
The closest Level 1 trauma center is located at Jamaica Hospital.
“We definitely need a trauma unit, a trauma center in Far Rockaway,” said community activists Kenny Carter, who is the Founder and President Fathers Alive in the Hood.
Justin Wallace was taken to St. John’s Episcopal Hospital after he was shot but died from his injuries.
Earlier this year, the New York State Department of Health came under fire after it was revealed that they were considering a plan to slash the number of beds at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital from 250 to 15.
On Thursday, the State Department of Health told NY1 they were no longer considering the reduction as an option.
“The option to dramatically reduce the size of Saint John’s Episcopal hospital to 15 beds is no longer being considered by St. John’s Episcopal and by DOH. The Department of Health is working closely with Saint John’s Episcopal to develop options to expand community-based healthcare services to the residence of the Rockaways,“ said Jeffrey Hammond, Public Information Officer for the NYS Department of Health.
“The NYS Department of Health is working with us to create a long-term financial sustainable plan. This plan will be a holistic vision that will include engagement from our community, union partners and elected officials. The intention is to ensure we address the health needs of the Rockaway community from east to west," said Renee Hastick-Motes, Vice President External Affairs at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital.
It’s a small win, but far from what area residents are now asking for after Wallace’s passing.
“I think it sparked a conversation with people that normally didn’t think about a trauma center. I really do. I think the fact he was transported to St. John’s and the uncle to Jamaica. I think that made a difference,” said Felicia Johnson, the chair of the community advisory panel for St. John’s Episcopal Hospital.
Justin’s family member, a 29-year-old man, was also wounded in the shooting, but survived his injuries.
While the 10-year-old’s family is still in shock, they must first make plans to put him to rest.
The plan is to have a funeral service on June 21 with a special nod to his love for cars.
“For his funeral we’re going to have a fleet of exotic cars coming into Far Rockaway just for his funeral,” said Rev. Les Mullings, the founder and CEO Challenge Charter Schools.
Services on June 21 will take place at Full Gospel Tabernacle located at 361 Beach 42nd St in Far Rockaway.
A viewing will be held on the 21st from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the funeral services will follow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.