Candlelight Vigil Held For Murdered Tulsa Teen

By Dan Bewley, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- It was a day of remembrance for loved ones of a Tulsa teenager who was shot and killed one week ago. Jacob Barnes was laid to rest Saturday afternoon.

A candlelight vigil was held Saturday evening to celebrate his life and to find ways to end the violence.

"He was a child in our community and I wanted everyone to know that he was a good kid," said Andru Morgan, vigil organizer.

10/03/2009  Related Story: Family, Friends Say Goodbye To Murdered Tulsa Student

Dozens of people gathered in a north Tulsa park to remember Jacob Barnes, a 16-year-old Memorial High School student. Jacob Barnes was shot just moments after he stepped off a school bus.

The vigil was organized by Andru Morgan. Morgan didn't know Jacob or his family, but when he heard of the teen's death, he had to do something and he says the vigil is his way to tell area teens they're not alone.

"We don't want (teens) to go down a bad path. We don't want to lose them and if they ever need us, we're there for them," said Andru Morgan.

Morgan says the vigil serves two purposes. One is to celebrate Jacob's life and honor his memory. The other is to look for ways to put an end to the violence. Morgan says it starts with the adults and mentors in the kids' lives.

"100 percent, because it is our responsibility, young adults, older adults, it's all our responsibility because it's our community. We can't just take from the community. We have to put back into it," said Andru Morgan.

The kids say more mentors would help, but they would like to see a bigger police presence too.

"More officers on alert when students are getting off the bus," said Johnniece Jones, Jacob's friend.

"More officers can be here when people are getting off the bus. If people see the police, they aren't going to do stuff like that, like kill people," said Germaine Myers, Jacob's friend.

Morgan plans to have more outdoor events, including concerts for kids in north Tulsa. Morgan encourages parents to give him a call for information about how to get involved. You can call Andru Morgan at (918) 991-4853.