A candlelight vigil was planned Tuesday night for a teenager who was gunned down over theweekend.
Garrett Burton, 16, was shot and killed early Saturday morning near Hilliard-Rome Road.According to police, Burton and a group of friends were throwing eggs at passing cars when someoneapproached and shot Burton in the head, 10TV's Tanisha Mallett reported.
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Burton's mother, Patti Burton, acknowledged that throwing eggs at cars was wrong, but said theprank did not warrant her son's death.
"It wasn't something they should have done," said Patti Burton, "but they certainly did notdeserve to be shot in the head over some eggs. This is a sick person."
Students at Westland High School returned to classes Tuesday after the long weekend. Mostexpressed shock at the news of Burton's death.
"(Garrett) was such a sweet kid, very well-mannered and well-grounded," said friend LaceyLykins. "For something like this to happen to him, it just kind of hit home really hard."
Another friend, Tasha Mascareno, said the events leading up to Burton's death were difficult tobear.
"The way it happened, it was so brutal," Mascareno said. "It wasn't like he passed away in a caraccident. It was just so brutal."
As a tribute, a classmate painted a mural of Garrett on a large rock. Tuesday night's vigil willbe held in vicinity of the painting.
Garrett's father, George Burton, said he was overwhelmed after seeing the student'spainting.
"It's been touching, said George Burton, who is a Columbus police officer. "It'sunbelievable."
George Burton said he was hopeful that the person who shot his son would let his mouth slip.
"I know that it's going to take time," George Burton said. "When there is no information outthere (it's) really one of those things where you hope and pray somebody starts shooting theirmouth off."
Police have yet to make any arrests in the shooting.
Anyone with information was asked to call Columbus police, or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at645-8477.
Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,000 in exchange for information that leads to anarrest or indictment.
Watch 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for additional information.
Previous Stories:
August 31, 2008: Teen Fatally Shot After Throwing Eggs At Cars; No Arrests Made
August 30, 2008: Egg-Throwing Prank Likely Led To Fatal Shooting, Police Say
