Family Photo
Derrick Johnson
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Friends and family gathered at the Elmwood Avenue Church of God to celebrate the 6-year-old life of Derrick "JuJu" Johnson, killed Sunday as he crossed the street heading to his aunt's house.
They assembled outside the Elmwood Avenue Baptist Church, consoling each other with a hug, a few words or simply a stroke of the head. Some wore pins with Derrick's photo.
Derrick lay in a white casket, also dressed in white down to the baseball cap. A teddy bear was propped against the casket's lid. Standing nearby were Derrick's three sisters, two of whom had been positioned just behind him when he was fatally hit, and his cousin, 5-year-old Davon, who saw it all happen from a window.
The Providence Journal/ Frieda Squires
Shania Monteiro, right, a 3rd grader at Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School, attaches a button with a photo of Derrick Johnson onto her hat Friday. Students at the school donated $2 to "break the rules for Derrick" and wear any hat to school to help defray funeral costs for the boy's family. Remembrance pins were also sold to help raise money. Behind her is Dannyasia Mercado, also in 3rd grade.