Thomas Smith Jr. was in the Bay Area from New Orleans visiting his family days before Christmas, but on Dec. 17, the 16-year-old was fatally shot in a park in Antioch.
Nakia Banks, mother of Thomas Smith Jr. spoke with KTVU FOX 2 News about the fatal incident that took the life of her 16-year-old son. Thomas, aka "Paulie" was her youngest child and only son. The family, who resides in New Orleans, was visiting Banks' sister in Antioch.Thomas Smith Jr. was in the Bay Area from New Orleans visiting his family days before Christmas.
It was a chance for the 16-year-old high school sophomore to catch up with his aunts and cousin. But on Dec. 17, he was shot dead in a park in"This is the worst Christmas I’ve ever had. I wouldn’t wish this on my enemy," the boy's mother, Nakia Banks said in an interview with KTVU. "He was a happy kid. He was a typical teenager. He liked to play games. He was a kid he didn’t deserve that. They have ruined my life forever.
Thomas, whose family called "Paulie" had walked from his aunt's home with his cousin to Williamson Ranch Park around 11:20 that morning. "When I got there, the paramedics [was] working on my son and I started holding his hand, and I started praying with him, and I started helping them work on him, but Paulie was gone," she said.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 1They believe Thomas and his cousin met with the occupants when the shooting happened.
"Whoever was in that car that shot my son, my son didn’t know him," Banks said. "My son didn’t do anything. The only thing he did was walk to a park with his cousin. He didn’t deserve that, that was my baby."He played tuba and was passionate about music and art. He danced and liked anime and video games. "I’m just so angry. I’m mad. I want justice," Banks said. "I want to see the person locked up. I want anyone who is responsible to be held accountable.
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