We'll have more from the team in Portland, but first to the murder, which happened on Banak Street late yesterday evening. The victim is identified as 21 year old Jamal Neal who resides not too far from where he was gun down. According to area residents, as many as 8 gunshots were fired by 2 men on a motorcycle. Neal was walking on Banak Street at the time he was murdered. Today 7news went into the neighbourhood to get the story.
Monica Bodden reporting
21 year old Jamal Neal was murdered on Banak Street just a few houses away from where he lived. It happened yesterday at around 6:10 in the evening.
When 7news arrived on the scene he was already transported to the KHMH in the pan of a police pick-up truck. He succumbed to his injuries only minutes later while undergoing treatment.
According to police, Neal was walking alone on Banak Street when two men on motor cycles rode up to him and one of them opened fire on him.
Eight 9mm expended shells were recovered from the scene while a red motor cycle - which is believed to have been the get-a-way ride, was found abandon at the corner of Croton Lane and Jasmine Street.
Today Jamal's mother told us that her son was on his way to run an errand for her.
Voice of the Mother of Jamal Neal
"I was walking and I got a call that Jamal got shot."
Monica Bodden
"At that time was he already dead?"
Voice of the Mother of Jamal Neal
"When I got there he was already dead?"
Monica Bodden
"What do you understand happened?"
Voice of the Mother of Jamal Neal
"I understand that Jamal was working on Banak Street when somebody shot him."
Monica Bodden
"So he was walking, he was not hanging out on the street side or on his way to somewhere?"
Voice of the Mother of Jamal Neal
"He was going somehwere where I told him to go to get something I left for him at a friend's house."
We understand Neal received gunshot wounds to his chest area and that he was walking alone at the time.
And while many are speculating that his murder may have been gang related, his mother strongly believes differently. She told us that the alleged trigger-man was friends with her son.
Voice of the Mother of Jamal Neal
"No it's not gang related, that I know for a fact."
Monica Bodden
"Do you think he might have recognized the shooter or he knew him?"
Voice of the Mother of Jamal Neal
"Yes"
Jamal Neal would have been celebrating his 22 birthday 20 days from today. He was the father of a 2 year old child.
Voice of the Mother of Jamal Neal
"Well Monica there's no way to explain that - there's no way to explain it, I just always see mothers on TV crying that they lost their son or daughter and I always say I hope I never have to go through it but it's my turn now."
Monica Bodden
"Do you remember what you said to him last?"
Voice of the Mother of Jamal Neal
"Well what I remember the last time was he texted me and said 'mommy where are you' and I said ''m just yards away from home' so he told me to text him when I got home, I never got home because I got the call."
We understand that police have detained one person so far for questioning and is looking for another suspect. Jamal Neal leaves behind one child.
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