SAN ANTONIO – A celebration was held Thursday for De-Earlvion Whitley’s fifth birthday. He was shot and killed during a drive-by shooting more than a month ago on the city’s East Side.
The child’s family, friends and football teammates gathered to remember the child.
“They called him ‘the mean machine No. 2.’ The other football team did,” said Cyntwanisha Whitley, De-Earlvion’s mother.
Even at a young age, it was clear that De-Earlvion was a football star. His dream was to keep scoring touchdowns alongside his teammates.
“To celebrate with them is a gift, but to not have him here with them to celebrate with them is hard,” Whitley said.
Police believe the drive-by shooting in which De-Earlvion was killed may have been gang related. There have not been any arrests in the case.
“I'm just praying and hoping one day somebody will talk, somebody will speak up, somebody will put everything aside to everything else and just know this is an innocent child. This child didn't have anything to do with nothing,” Whitley said.
Whitley has stood by San Antonio police. She openly supports them in their quest to bring justice and closure to her family. On Thursday night, she reaffirmed that commitment.
“I really want to meet with Chief (William) McManus and speak to him one on one and let him know I'm here. I'm didn't. Just saying ‘I'm going to be with you,’” Whitley said.
Along with the Police Department, Whitley plans to organize a march every month until there is justice for her son. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 210-224-7867.