7 Years On, Jericho’s Family Marches for Justice

Kimberly Wipfler Photo

Leroy (holding megaphone), Angaleea, and Nicole Scott at the march; Jericho's murder remains unsolved.

If you know something, say something!” Leroy Scott pleaded into a megaphone, leading a crowd of supporters in red T‑shirts through a march Saturday in Fair Haven, the neighborhood where his son was murdered in 2015.

Leroy and Nicole Scott.

The family organized the march to commemorate their late son, to denounce gun violence, and to urge community members to bring forth any information to help bring justice to the case, which remains unsolved.

The march was almost exactly seven years from April 19, 2015, when 16-year-old Jericho was killed on a Sunday morning in a drive-by shooting on Exchange Street in Fair Haven. Jericho’s older brother Alex said that they save the 19th for an intimate family remembrance.

Jericho’s father Leroy said that they had intended to host the march two years ago, in recognition of the five-year anniversary of his son’s death, but the pandemic prevented it.

Two years later, almost 100 people turned out to keep Jericho’s name alive and call for justice.

As the family members, friends, and supporters filtered into Criscuolo Park around 10:30 a.m. for the event, they shared reunion hugs and held each other’s hands. Many wore shirts that read Justice 4 Jericho,” with a number 12 on the back — the number Jericho, a star pitcher, wore on the baseball diamond, as well as on the basketball court. Others wore red in support to match.

The parents led the march down James Street, Lombard Street, Clinton Avenue, Grand Avenue, Blatchley Avenue, to Exchange Street, to visit the memorial set up there for Jericho, and then back to the park.

They chanted: Love not hate!” Stop the violence! Increase the peace!” Put down the gun. Pick up the book!” Stop the shooting! Stop the killing!” And:“If you know something, say something.”

As the march took over the streets, many people came out of their homes or businesses to watch. Several took out their phones to record. Spectators raised their fists in solidarity. Some chanted along.

Family friend Willie Penn and Jericho’s aunt Felicia handed out fliers along the route: A reward of $50,000.00 is being offered for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for this violent act,” the fliers read.

Parents Leroy and Nicole addressed the crowd before the march, along with their pastor, Walter Oliver of the Ebenezer Chapel, and Mayor Justin Elicker.

Spectators raise the fists in solidarity with marchers.

Walter Oliver, Leroy Scott, Willie Penn, Nicole Scott, 6-year-old Jadis, and Jason Jacobs, Jericho's uncle.

Some people can move on from this type of thing, but we can’t. We’re still stuck on April 19th. Every day is tough. My son deserves justice,” Leroy said.

We never expected to be the parents of a murdered child, but you don’t want to be the parents of a murdered child whose case is not solved,” said Nicole. Jericho deserves justice. He deserves for somebody to pay for what they did to him.”

Somebody in the city must know what happened. We want them to come forward and share. If you know something, say something. We’re really marching against gun violence and overall violence in the city of New Haven,” said Oliver.

We’re working to improve and increase the resources that we provide to help bring justice to these families. It’s also about ensuring that our community shares the information to bring justice, because the police officers can’t do it alone. It’s time that we ensure that our community provides the opportunities and holds each other accountable so that we don’t lose any more young people,” said Elicker.

Nicole greets top Fair Haven cop Lt. Michael Fumiatti with Leroy and daughter Carizma, who turns 15 in July.

Carizma, Leroy and Nicole’s youngest daughter, who will turn 15 in July, ran to hug Lt. Michael Fumiatti, who was on duty the night that Jericho was killed.

He’s been a big figure in my life. I grew up with him. He used to stay with us at night when I was scared,” Carizma said.

He’s definitely been an intimate part in our family’s life from the very beginning since the night that we lost our son, and before that. He was a beat walker in our neighborhood, and that’s how he knew J. On that tragic night, he spent those dear hours with our son. I’m so grateful for that. We love you,” said Leroy in an address to the crowd.

It could have been anybody on duty that night,” Fumiatti said. Nicole said it was an act of God that it was Fumiatti.

Jericho's siblings Angaleea and Brandon.

Jericho's older brother Alex shows tattoo of the memorial.

Carizma kept company with her other siblings: Angaleea, 18; Sahara, who turns 21 on Monday; Alex, 25; and Brandon, 28. Their cousin Jason Jacobs Jr. came with his father, whom he is named after. Hearing his brother and sister-in-law speak about Jericho brought Jacobs Sr. to tears; he said it brought back painful memories.

Celina Henriquez, who grew up with Jericho and considers Nicole and Leroy parents, came with her son, Malcolm.

It’s so funny; my son looks just like Jericho did as a baby. God must have known what their family needed,” Henriquez said. Nicole agreed, and pulled Malcolm closer to her.

Malcolm and Jadis.

Other parents who have lost children came in support of the family. Thomas Daniels, who lost his teenage son in 2009, said he knows the family through a peer support group. Gloria Garcia, who lost her nephew Torrence Dawkins, came in support.

It’s important to support each other through the good and the bad. I believe God will bring them the justice they need. It doesn’t relieve the pain, but it does bring closure,” Garcia said. Leroy said he will never forget the first time he met Garcia, almost a decade ago, while she was passing out fliers in the neighborhood to raise awareness for her nephew’s death.

Who would have known that you would have been the next family to lose a child?” Garcia said, tears in her eyes.

Lorraine West, whose daughter is neighbors with Nicole, created the "Justice 4 Jericho" shirts for the march.

Maria Buonome, Jericho's grandmother, spoke to her late grandson at his memorial.

Nancy Jordan, the New Haven police department’s victim services officer, who facilitates monthly Survivors of Homicide Victims Support Group, brought her own megaphone.

It’s important for people to know that seven years later, we’re still standing here, and we’re still seeking justice for our son. But it’s also important for the community to know that it’s not just Jericho. Gun violence is everywhere. So many of the people who are standing out here with us have also lost loved ones, have also lost children. So we stand out here together, not just for our son, but for their children as well,” said Nicole.

Jericho had a big personality. He was hilarious. Anybody who came across Jericho, you knew you met somebody special because he touched you. It was everybody and anybody. It didn’t matter who it was,” said Leroy.

He was very funny, outgoing, never wanted to be angry, never wanted to be upset. He literally lived his life laughing, so I hope that somewhere in Heaven he’s laughing and looking down. I hope he’s proud and knows that we’re trying. We’re really trying to get justice,” said Nicole.

Celina Henriquez.

Nicole's tattoo in honor of her son.

Nicole and Leroy.

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