Last night we brought you the tragic story of 18-year-old Carl Lamb, a teenager from Herclett Moody street who was ambushed and fatally stabbed to the chest. The suspects range in age from 15 to 41.
His mother Shanna Allen found her son lying in a pool of muddy water and his own blood.
Tonight she's speaking out about the son from whom she drew strength, a young man with limitless dreams for the future, all cut short by an all too violent death. Cherisse Halsall reports:
Shanna Allen, Mother of the deceased
"Carl was an alive person, you even, you even sad Carl tried to do everything to make you come back to the person he knew. He was always home backing water and doing things around the house. He helped in all kinds of ways that he could. The only thing he couldn't help was with finance. He really wanted a job that's all he based on helping me out."
Cherisse Halsall:
"And he was coming to a job interview right?"
Shanna Allen, Mother of the deceased
"Um, he just got the job interview for Tuesday and that day he had a joyful spirit that he would get it and what all he would do when he gets the job. All Carl talked about was doing better for himself, trying to find a job and finding a way out of the struggle."
And, Carl's identity as someone who strived for a better life is a product of the loving relationship he shared with his mom.
Shanna Allen, Mother of the deceased
"I spoke to Carl when Carl was young and told him how he should be. I always talked to Carl about bad people, good people, being respectable, carry himself respectfully. He didn't give any trouble and he was all about his mother. He didn't want his mom to worry he didn't want his mom to think things that weren't possible to him. He always talked and said mom, you know I love you right. I told him, yes I know that because you wouldn't be the son I want today. I said you know I want to do a lot better for you for me and my niece and my nephew. He's saying mom when I go out I don't go far I don't do anyone wrong because I don't want anyone to do me wrong like what you taught me from I was a baby."
But somebody did do him wrong and not. Just one somebody four or five people, one of whom was an adult.
But one day after the teenager's death we are learning more about its possible motive. Reliable reports are that Carl had received a death threat. But that was months ago, a spat of hard talking over a girl who may have liked Carl but who had a very jealous ex.
Carl's mom says she started fearing for his safety while watching him walk home across the area's London bridge.
He'd get to a specific spot on the path, and all the lights would go out. After that, she told him to start switching up his timing.
But none of it helped and today Shanna Allen finds herself grieving and wanting only what any other mother in her position wants.
Shanna Allen, Mother of the deceased
"All I am asking is for justice for my little son. He was the only one I had on my side. The only one who saw me when I was going through my pain. The only one who coaxed me when I was sick and depressed. We only had each other."
So far, police have made no arrests.
