The mother of a 23-month-old boy who was tragically killed on Saturday by a stray bullet is pleading with the public to find her son’s killer.
Jasper Wu was in his carseat and traveling with relatives in a white Lexus on I-880 in Oakland, California, Saturday when his life was tragically taken, as KPIX-TV reported.
A bullet reportedly came through the windshield and struck him as he slept — a horror that has shocked his family and community, leaving people struggling to comprehend what unfolded and determined to find those responsible.
“I don’t know what to say. It just happened all of a sudden,” Cherry An told reporters. “I don’t even know how to react to this tragedy.”
Jasper’s grandma remembered the child — who would have turned 2 next month — as “such a sunny and open and active boy.”
Carl Chan, president of Oakland’s Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, is helping the family plan Jasper’s funeral and has made statements to the media since the tragic shooting.
“Jasper will never wake up again. This is horrible,” Chan told The Mercury News. “Today is my birthday and I’m saying that because I’m so lucky to be celebrating my birthday and Jasper could not have a chance to celebrate his own second birthday in December.”
The tragic death comes amid an increase in homicides in Oakland. Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong pleaded with the community in September when the city reached its 100th homicide of the year.
“I just ask that everybody come together collectively to say that this has to stop,” Armstrong said at the time.
An had a similar message this week as she grieves the loss of her son. She asked the public to help her “find the killers” so no one else has to suffer such horror.
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The community held a candlelight vigil for Jasper on Monday night and offered support to An and her family. A GoFundMe set up has already brought in more than $45,000.
Please continue to pray for Jasper’s parents and family members who are suffering during this time.
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