Family pleads for help as Saginaw Police look for teenagers kill - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(11/21/12) - The family of Saginaw's latest murder victim is speaking out for the first time. 16-year old Walter Riley III was shot in broad daylight last Friday. His body was found in a vacant lot on the city's east side. Police are still searching for his killer.

Family members say Walter was like most boys his age out-going and fun, and he enjoyed playing football. They believe someone saw or heard something last Friday and they want that person to come forward and help police.

"It's time for us to put an end to the silence in the streets," said Walter's great uncle Larry Cole. Cole is also a member of the newly organized Tri-County National Action Network, a chapter of the civil rights group founded by the Rev. Al Sharpton. Cole says the organization works with police to keep the peace.

"What we are trying to do is make a difference in the community," he said.
     
Ironically, he found about his nephew's murder while working with the group.

"We had just assembled a grief committee that Thursday before this killing happened and I began to call up different people on the committee and let them know that there was a homicide and then as we gathered and got there on the scene of the crime we learned that it was my great nephew."
     
A devastating way to learn of a loved ones untimely death. Now a man who volunteers to protect his community is asking others to speak up, and to keep his family in their thoughts.

"We are going to need much prayer in this situation, so we ask that ya'll just continue to pray for us, and pray for the community."

Walter's funeral will be held on Tuesday at the Paradise Funeral Home. If you know anything about his murder you are asked to call Saginaw Police or Crime Stoppers.