By Kameel Stanley, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, October 2, 2010
ST. PETERSBURG — Lisa Wheeler-Brown almost gave up on the community after her cousin's murder.
Latedra "Te Te" Everett was shot in the head about 10:30 p.m. Sept. 25 in front of a home at 638 26th Ave. S, according to police. Jacquez Wallace, 21, who lives at the home that came under fire that night, also was shot.
Everett, an 18-year-old high school senior, died a short time later. Wallace was injured.
Everett was part of a group of about eight people who were targeted that night, authorities said. Police believe the bullets were fired from several houses away.
Few other details about the attack have emerged, and no one has stepped forward to help authorities solve the teen's killing.
"I just wanted more of an outcry," said Wheeler-Brown, whose son, Cabretti Wheeler, was murdered two years ago. "To have this happen again to another family member … it's unacceptable. … When do you say 'Enough is enough?' Murder is murder."
Cabretti Wheeler's shooting death in September 2008 remains unsolved. His mother doesn't want the same thing to happen in her young cousin's case.
On Saturday, Wheeler-Brown was among dozens of Everett's relatives and friends who gathered at the Shell Gas Station at 18th Avenue S and 34th Street S for a carwash.
The proceeds, $2,450, will help pay for Everett's funeral, which will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Bethel Metropolitan Baptist Church, 3455 26th Ave S, The family said the funeral will cost at least $5,000.
Wheeler-Brown said she wasn't sure at first what impact the carwash would have. But from the moment the crew set up at 8 a.m., she said, cars started coming nonstop.
"We are overwhelmed," she said. "The community has really come out."
Everett was the third oldest of 10 children, her family said.
She loved to dance, and was known to be friendly toward everyone she met.
She would have graduated from Boca Ciega High School this coming spring.
"That's all she used to talk about," said Johnecia Roberson, 21, her older sister. "She didn't hurt anybody. I'm still shocked."
Family members said they hope someone will eventually come forward with information that will help police solve the case.
"It's not snitching, it's helping," Roberson said. "I just want justice."
Kameel Stanley can be reached at kstanley@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8643.