Family and friends honored 13-year-old Ahmad Mims in a candlelight vigil as D.C. police search for his killer. The suspect is believed to be a juvenile.
WASHINGTON — Family, friends and neighbors gathered Saturday night to honor the life of 13-year-old Ahmad Mims, who was shot and killed in Northeast D.C. last weekend, as police continue searching for the person responsible.
The candlelight vigil brought together members of the community dressed in blue who remembered Ahmad as a kind, outgoing teenager who loved spending time with friends, playing video games and being outdoors.
“It teared me up so much because I didn’t believe that he had that many people that loved him,” Ahmad’s grandmother, Monica Mims, said during the vigil.
Mims said she is still struggling to process the loss of her grandson, who was preparing to begin eighth grade at KIPP Northeast Charter School. Instead, she said, her family is now preparing to bury him.
According to D.C. police, Ahmad was shot and killed on the 1600 block of Rosedale Street Northeast on Saturday, July 11.
His grandmother said doorbell camera footage captured one of the last moments her family saw him alive. She said two children came to the house and asked Ahmad to come outside.
“He was so friendly enough to just come outside,” Mims said through tears. “He was just smiling at the camera as he’s leaving out the door. He thinking he’s going outside to play with them, but that’s the last time we see him.”
Police believe the suspected shooter is also a juvenile and was last seen riding a black bicycle near 16th and Rosedale streets Northeast.
Mims said Ahmad had been involved in a fight about a week or two before the shooting and believes the same person was responsible for his death. Police have not confirmed that connection.
No arrests have been made, and investigators have not released a description of the suspect.
Despite their grief, Ahmad’s family is urging those who knew him to respond peacefully.
“If you know Ahmad and he was your friend, please don’t retaliate,” Mims said.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact D.C. police. There is a GoFundMe to help raise money for the family.