The family of Yasin Morrison, a 9-year-old boy with autism, is grappling with unimaginable grief after he was fatally shot in Newark last Friday. Yasin, described by his family as non-verbal, was standing on the front steps of his grandparents’ home when he was caught in the crossfire of a shooting.
His father, who was also struck while trying to shield Yasin and his 3-year-old sister, survived the attack. Another man, believed to be the intended target, was injured but is expected to recover. The tragedy has left the family shattered. “It happened in front of our house. We’re never going to be able to look at going outside the same way,” said Tisha Bolden, Yasin’s grandmother, in an emotional interview with CBS News.
The incident has shaken the community, prompting an outpouring of support for the grieving family. On Wednesday, Newark authorities announced the arrest of 36-year-old Jesse J. Dunbar II in connection with the shooting. Dunbar faces multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder, and aggravated assault.
Investigators believe Dunbar was targeting an unidentified 36-year-old man walking near Bolden’s home when he opened fire, inadvertently striking Yasin and his father. While the arrest brings a measure of justice, it offers little solace to Yasin’s loved ones. “I’m happy that they caught the person, but it will never bring us Yasin back,” said Latasia Morrison, Yasin’s aunt, in an interview with WABC.
The family has expressed gratitude for the community’s support, which has helped them navigate this devastating loss. “They’ve rallied around our family. The police rallied around our family. They wouldn’t stop until somebody was caught for this senselessness,” Bolden told the Mirror.
A balloon release was held Saturday in Yasin’s memory, and a classmate left a stuffed animal at a growing memorial outside the family’s home. Bolden fondly recalled Yasin’s gentle nature, saying, “He would be in his space, and when he wanted to communicate with you, he’d come to you, he’d hug us or come in the room and lay on the bed with us and spend time with us.”
As the family prepares to lay Yasin to rest, they are determined to honor his memory while seeking justice for the senseless violence that took his life.