The Lynn community is rallying to support the families of the two teens fatally shot on Camden Avenue on Wednesday night.
A number of fundraisers have been organized by family members and people from Lynn Public Schools.
Kyle Mel, 19, was one of the victims. The 16-year-old victim’s name has not been released because he was a juvenile.
A GoFundMe campaign to raise money to pay for his funeral expenses was organized by Mel’s uncle, Timmy Nop.
On the GoFundMe page, Nop described his nephew as “loved by all of us and everyone who contacted with (him).”
He described Mel as “very respectful, kind, funny, energetic,” and said that he “love(d) to bother his mom.”
“Any contribution towards Kyle’s funeral expenses whether big or small is much appreciated,” he wrote.
That campaign raised more than $4,000 toward a $10,000 goal in less than 24 hours.
Mike Curley, a teacher at Lynn Classical High School, which both Mel and the 16-year-old victim attended, is part of an organization called Blue House Santa.
“We raise money with Santa appearances,” Curley said. “We have a fundraising foundation in place. We just jumped into action to help raise money for the families. Our organization will be donating $1,000, and we have collected close to $3,000, on top of that.”
Rob Smith, a campus monitor and coach at Classical, posted on Facebook that he felt compelled to do something to help the families.
He proposed that all of the student body, faculty, and staff donate $1 or whatever they can afford.
“The proceeds will go towards a brick in front of Classical in their memory,” Smith wrote, adding that any excess money would be distributed between the two victims’ families.
He wrote that the girls basketball team would donate the first $100.
“We are Rams,” he wrote. “We are family.”
Lynn Public Schools Superintendent Evonne Alvarez issued a statement expressing condolences “to the families, friends, staff, and everyone affected by the devastating loss of student life.”
Alvarez said that it is important for people in the school district and the community as a whole to come together to offer support and strength to one another.
“We will continue to provide a supportive space where students can thrive emotionally, socially, and academically,” Alvarez said. “Therefore, dedicated support services will be deployed by the LPS clinical team and the Lynn Police Department for the return of staff and students throughout the week of Jan. 2, 2024.”
She emphasized the importance of fostering an environment of “appropriate conflict resolution, respect, kindness, and compassion.”
“As students and staff return to school next week, let us embrace each other with a sense of unity, determination to end violence, and perpetual hope,” Alvarez said. “The district’s priority remains the safety, social-emotional well-being, and academic success of our students who are excited to return to schools.”
A candlelight vigil is planned for 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3 on the steps of City Hall. Mayor Jared Nicholson is expected to speak at the vigil.
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