14-year old boy shot and killed in Illinois

Mario Butler, age 14

14-year old Mario Butler was visiting his aunt in Harvey, Illinois.  He had just graduated 8th grade and was looking forward to high school.  He excelled in math, and dreamed of being a professional basketball player.

Unfortunately, while hanging out with friends outside, he was shot and killed in what might have been an accident.

From an article:

Overcome with grief Sunday, Latora Arnold said she will always remember her son as a 14-year-old with a big heart.

"He had a loving and caring spirit," said his mother, Latora Arnold. "He helped others a lot. He always asked questions&why, when, what."

Friends say the tragedy happened as the well-liked young man spent part of his summer break visiting friends at his aunt's south suburban Harvey home.

Neighbors said they didn't hear gunfire but saw Mario playing on the sidewalk with three friends just before officers responded to calls about a shooting near 149th and Morgan streets.

"I thought it was car accident," witness Lloyd Bowman said. "I didn't know what really happened. When I looked, I saw a kid on the ground."
....
Meanwhile, police continue to investigate and say Mario's slaying was definitely not gang related, but possibly the result of an accidental shooting.

Relatives say Mario was told to stay away from guns. They want to know which teen had the weapon and who he got it.

"Somebody needs to speak up and say whose gun it was," said Mario's great uncle, Richard Arnold. "How did they get a hold to the gun?"

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.