Who was Radames Francisco? Aspiring rapper, 15, killed in Shonnard Street shooting was 'life of the party'
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK: Radames Francisco, 15, was shot outside of a home in the 400 block of Shonnard Street on May 21, according to a news release issued by Syracuse police. The teen was taken to Upstate University Hospital, where he died, police said. A 14-year-old boy has been taken under custody, for allegedly shooting the 15 year-old-boy in Syracuse.
This is the eighth homicide case in Syracuse this year. The unnamed suspect has been charged with murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. New York State Police, the Onondaga Sheriff's Office and an overhead helicopter assisted in the investigation. According to the reports, Syracuse police arrived at 10 pm Friday, May 21 at the 400 block of Shonnard Street after people heard several gunshots. Police responded with force to a "shots fired" call just before 10 pm, bringing dozens of police cars, an armored vehicle, and a helicopter that circled overhead. CNY Central's crew also reported that they could hear Syracuse Police instructing someone to exit a home with their hands in the air.
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One day after his death, on Saturday, May 22, dozens of people gathered on Shonnard Street to honor the life of Francisco.
One of his Francisco's acquaintance John Carter who knew the aspiring rapper for years, and met him when he was just two years old opened up and talked about the "pain" that Francisco's death has caused. Carter and many others knew him as "Remy", the stage name that he used as an up-and-coming artist with Carter's record label Westrockent.
"Remy always gave out good energy, Remy always was the life of the party," said Carter, "Remy was the one." Carter revealed that Francisco was a hard-working teenager who was working towards his aspiration to have a career in music, channeling his own experiences in Syracuse to promote anti-violent messages. According to Carter, Remy was on the verge of becoming a great performer, even at such a young age. "He just kept going on his goals and his dreams, anybody who sees somebody dedicated that passionate that much is either going to hate him or embrace him and to that extent, the neighbors embraced everything that he was doing," said Carter.
The area outside Remy's home was packed with people on Saturday, May 22, evening. Off-camera, they told stories about how Remy was an amazing kid, playing his music on the street in his memory.
Police did not release the suspect’s name due to his age. He’s being charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.
Anyone with more information on the shooting can call the Syracuse Police Department at (315) 442-5222.