A teenage boy who was shot and killed while allegedly defending his pregnant sister is being remembered as a hero by his family.
On the night of Nov. 20, 2019, 20-year-old Crispin Acevedo assaulted his 18-year-old pregnant girlfriend by pushing her to the ground during an altercation at her family’s home in Phoenix, Arizona. He then drew a handgun.
Jesse was shot by Acevedo and taken to hospital after his father called 911. The teen later died from his injuries.
Acevedo was arrested the morning after Jesse’s death on charges of possession of a weapon, four counts of aggravated assault, and second-degree murder. He was also held on a US$750,000 cash bond.
Jesse was shot moments before midnight; John believed it took paramedics around 30 minutes to respond to his 911 call.
“When they got here, police said they had to clear the house. The paramedics wouldn’t come inside until police told them,” John regaled. “I kept yelling, ‘The guy is gone, I need a paramedic!’ I was performing CPR because I saw Jesse wasn’t breathing.”
Both of Jesse’s parents also managed to channel their grief into consideration for their son’s kindness and bravery.
“For some reason, God blessed me with him,” John reflected. “He was such a good kid [...] He was really quiet, never complained. If I asked him to do something, he would just do it.”
“I was the proudest mom,” Rocio added. “I couldn’t have asked for a better son; he was just like everything to me. He’s my boy, my baby.”
Jesse was a part-time plumber and a brother to five sisters. He enjoyed video games and spent his free time with his family. His mother explained that the family had accepted Acevedo into their home around six months before the shooting.
Jesse’s family and friends held a candlelight vigil for their fallen hero on Nov. 22.
Friends Read Free