Family, friends to hold vigil in honor of Evon Young

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Two vigils are planned for Tuesday, January 29th to honor the memory of Evon Young. Young's family says since his death, Young's music has lived on and gotten more popular.

Annette Cross-Perry thanks those who support her in a difficult time. Her son, Evon, was trying to make it big as a rapper. Since news of his violent death has been publicized, thousands more have clicked on his YouTube videos.

"He told me, 'Mom, this is going to be my year.' And it is his year. I just hate that it had to come at the cost it had to come at," said Cross-Perry.

Cross-Perry says this weekend, other artists paid tribute to Young on stage, creating a plaque with Young's new CD. She's been told Young will be given a music award in his memory. 

Young's sister, Harmonee, decided to try to follow her brother's musical dreams.

"I'm just going to do what he wanted me to do make more music. Follow my dream. Make his story be heard," said Harmonee.

Five men are charged with Young's murder. They allegedly killed the rapper in the basement of a home near 52nd and Custer -- believing Young allowed someone to burglarize one of them.

"I'm glad that they're behind bars. But as a mother, there will never be closure for me because I can never hold him again," said Cross-Perry. "I can't hear his voice without playing his music. I can't see his face without looking at a video. What you took from me, it can never be replaced. And what they get can never be accepted as enough."

The two vigils scheduled for Tuesday, January 29th will be held at the house near 52nd and Custer. The first will be held at 9:45 a.m., led by area churches. The second will be held at 7 p.m.

CLICK HERE to read more stories about the Evon Young case