Hundreds show up for celebration of life honoring murdered 13-year-old

NORWOOD, Mass — Hundreds showed up for a celebration of life honoring a 13-year-old boy who was murdered one week ago.

No arrests have been made in the murder that happened last Sunday around 11:30 a.m. in Mattapan.

Tyler Lawrence, who lived in Norwood and attended Coakley Middle School, was staying at his grandparent’s house when it happened.

He was out for a morning walk when he was shot multiple times near Babson and Fremont Streets.

People have been rallying around Tyler’s mother, grandparents and other relatives since then.

So many people showed up to Lawrence’s memorial that some had to be turned away after it concluded.

The line wrapped around the parking lot and down the sidewalk at Norwood’s Rama Center.

“I never in my wildest dreams knew that Tyler touched so many people,” said grandfather Stanley Lawrence. “I wish everybody could’ve been able to come inside. The amount of people who came. I’ll never forget this in my life.”

Grandfather Stanley Lawrence said the family continues to deal with the raw emotions of the tragedy without knowing who murdered Tyler or why.

“The outpouring of love for my grandson is what is holding us together as a family right now,” he said.

The crowd who lined up to show their sympathy to Tyler’s family included classmates, parents, neighbors and local leaders.

“We should all be outraged because it’s not normal. We can’t normalize this,” said Massachusetts State Senator Liz Miranda.

The principal at Coakley Middle School said the entire school community has been rocked by the loss.

“He was a 13-year-old boy who had so much life in him and had so much life left to give,” said Coakley Principal Margo Fraczek.

Boston Police are still not speculating on a motive in the murder.

Investigators have also not revealed how many suspects may have been involved in the fatal shooting.

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