New Haven Independent

Immanuel Baptist on Chapel Street is one of the city’s biggest churches. It was full to overflowing for the two-hour funeral service for Mabery, who was shot and killed Aug. 30. At the time Mabery, known on the street as “Little Larry,” was a suspect in three other murders, and police suggested he may have been killed in retaliation. (Click here to read about how police planned to arrest him for murder within hours of his death.)

But those gathered to honor his memory — many wearing pins and T-shirts with a photo of the smiling, handsome teen — did not want to hear about that. They were focused on the struggles young black men face in New Haven, and the little kindnesses Mabery had shown to others.

Ron Smith, assistant pastor at the church, said Mabery would live on in their hearts. Download fileClick here to listen.

Smith criticized coverage of the murder in the media that mentioned Mabery’s possible criminal involvement. In his eulogy, he spoke of the challenges young black men face in New Haven, of how the support system has frayed.

“They are living in a time where we did not teach them like our foreparents teached us. It was the grandmother who took the initiative in the family.”

Police kept a low profile in a pocket park across the street from the church. None would comment for this story. And of the dozens of young people milling around outside, no one would talk to this reporte. Many seemed angry — angry at the press coverage? Angry at the escalating gun violence? Hard to say, since no one would comment.

When asked directly if he knew Mabery, one youth replied, “I knew him, but I didn’t know him, know him,” but would say no more.