Members of the Albuquerque community gathered at Washington Middle School Saturday to honor a 13-year-old boy who was killed Friday afternoon. Albuquerque police say 13-year-old Juan Saucedo fatally shot and killed Bennie Hargrove during an outside school bullying incident while on lunch break. More than 50 people were seen at the school’s athletics on Saturday to pay their respects. Bowed heads, silent tears, and group hugs were observed. “My niece comes to this school and she was very upset about what happened to little Bennie. He was one of her close friends,” said Marie Serna. The news of Hargrove’s death came as a shock to Serna and her niece. “That challenges the children,” said Serna. “I wish Albuquerque were a safer environment for the kids, be it in school or on the street.” John Sais is a former student of Washington Middle School. He said he never thought a shootout would bring him back to what he once called home. “It’s just so tragic to see a young person’s life being taken away just because a child tries to stand up for their friend,” Sais said. He said school systems should do more for students affected by bullying. “This boy could be here today if someone had said something, said something, anything. It’s sad, ”Sais said. There is no information on whether further vigils are planned. The authorities are asking anyone with information to call 242-COPS.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM –
Members of the Albuquerque Ward gathered at Washington Middle School Saturday to honor a 13-year-old boy who was killed Friday afternoon.
Albuquerque police say 13-year-old Juan Saucedo fatally shot and killed Bennie Hargrove during an off-school bullying incident during lunch.
More than 50 people were seen at the school’s athletics on Saturday to pay their respects. Bowed heads, silent tears, and group hugs were all observed.
“My niece comes to this school and she was very upset about what happened to little Bennie. He was one of her close friends,” said Marie Serna.
The news of Hargrove’s death came as a shock to Serna and her niece.
“That challenges the children,” said Serna. “I wish Albuquerque were a safer environment for the kids, be it at school or on the street.”
John Sais is a former student of Washington Middle School. He said he never thought a shootout would bring him back to what he once called home.
“It’s just so tragic that a young life is stolen from you just because a child tries to stand up for a friend,” Sais said.
He said school systems should do more for students affected by bullying.
“This boy could be here today if someone had said something, said something. It’s sad, ”Sais said.
There is no word as to whether further vigils are planned.
The authorities are asking anyone with information to call 242-COPS.
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