Fundraiser started for family of 14-year-old killed in Worcester

The family of the 14-year-old boy shot and killed in Worcester last week is asking for support to help cover costly funeral expenses.

14-year-old Sterling Baptiste, Jr. was found with a gunshot wound in an apartment Friday afternoon, where he was pronounced dead by paramedics, police said. A 16-year-old was arrested in connection with the shooting early Saturday morning, and another 16-year-old was arrested Monday.

The boy’s father Sterling Baptiste, Sr. started the GoFundMe to give Sterling “the farewell he deserves.” The elder Baptiste told Boston 25 News his son was a football player and an honor roll student at Worcester North High School.

“All I did his whole life was structure, give him his love and everything that most of the kids out here don’t have,” Baptiste told the news station. “He didn’t go there to do anything with guns … He ended up being shot by somebody that clearly brought a gun that shouldn’t be having one.”

The family has raised more than $10,000 as of Tuesday evening after what Baptiste called “a senseless act of violence.” 

“The grief we are feeling is indescribable and we are struggling to come to terms with this devastating loss,” Baptiste shared on GoFundMe. “Sterling was a wonderful son and he deserves a beautiful and proper send off.”