Mother of minor killed at Southlands Mall shares how she desires him to be remembered

AURORA, Colo. — The mom of Raphael Velin, the 15-year-old who was shot and killed at Southlands Mall in Aurora, sat down completely with Denver7 to share how she desires her son to be remembered.

“He was an excellent boy, an excellent helper. He helped me at house,” mentioned Nancy Velin.

Since Raphael was a younger boy, he was a candy and caring huge brother for his youthful sister, in response to his mom. He performed soccer all through his childhood. And in his teen years, he was well-on-his-way to changing into a gifted barber.

“He was watching YouTube, and he discovered the whole lot from there,” mentioned Nancy.

Hair design was his ardour, and his enterprise was simply getting began.

“He mentioned, ‘Perhaps for Christmas, you guys can get me a chair.’ As a result of he purchased a second-hand chair. He mentioned, ‘You should buy me a greater chair.’ I mentioned, ‘Yeah. We will do this,'” mentioned Nancy.

In some ways, Raphael, a sophomore at Vista PEAK Preparatory, was sensible past his years.

“We talked with him all the time concerning the hazard on this planet. However he all the time mentioned, ‘I’m robust momma.’ Like he can deal with himself, however he’s solely 15,” mentioned Nancy.

The capturing was reported at round 9:30 p.m. Saturday in a parking zone outdoors Southlands Mall the place a big group of individuals, together with teenagers from Smoky Hill and Grandview excessive colleges have been celebrating homecoming, witnesses informed Denver7.

First responders arrived and located Raphael affected by a gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital, the place he later died.

Investigators imagine the homicide occurred throughout a pre-planned assembly between the concerned events, in response to an preliminary media launch from the Aurora Police Division. Raphael’s mom mentioned she acquired a cellphone name from him earlier that night, and he mentioned he was heading to the mall to fulfill up with pals.

Police mentioned 4 to 5 suspects took off after the capturing in a black four-door sedan. The sedan was later recovered, however police are nonetheless trying to find the suspects.

Velin household

Although the Velin household is feeling immense ache from this tragedy, Raphel’s mom mentioned there is no hate in her coronary heart for the suspects who took her son from her.

“I really feel sorry for them,” she mentioned.

Aurora PD is asking witnesses from the realm, together with residents from the Wheatlands neighborhood close to the mall to verify surveillance cameras, together with house safety cameras, to see if something from the incident was recorded.

Anybody with info is being requested to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can stay nameless.