RANKIN, Pa. — For the first time since losing his son on the Fourth of July, the father of Kennir Parr sat down for an interview Thursday with Channel 11’s Lisa Sylvester.
Police responded to a call Monday for someone suffering a gunshot wound to the head at the Hawkins Village housing complex in Rankin. A person opened fire on a crowd of 40 to 50 people who were lighting fireworks.
Fourteen-year-old Kennir, an innocent bystander, was hit in the back of his head.%
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Kennir’s father, who did not want to be identified, said his son was an honor roll student and a standout athlete in baseball. His son also loved football and dreamed of playing professional sports.
Community activist Adrienne Young shared an excerpt of an essay Kennir wrote heading into his seventh grade year.
“My goal at the end of this year in football is to have at least 50 tackles,” the essay read. “I want to be at least 6-foot-4 by the end of the school year. I also want to go to college.”
His father wanted the same for him.
“I told him if you wanted something, you have to get it. And the only way to do that is through school and hard work,” he said. “He would have achieved it. He would have achieved it strong. That’s what he wanted.”
No arrests have been made in connection with Kennir’s death.
Anyone who may have seen or heard something suspicious is asked to contact Allegheny County police. Witnesses may remain anonymous.