Friends and family gathered Wednesday night to show their support for Friends and family gathered Wednesday night to show their support for the murdered son of a Trenton High School teacher.
Investigators say Tre Lane, 19, was hanging out with three friends on a front porch on New Willow Street back on September 22. Suddenly two gunmen opened fire, striking the four victims. While Lane’s friends survived, Lane later died from his injuries. The gunmen fled the scene and have not been found.
Lane’s mother, Regina Thompson-Jenkins, is a teacher at Trenton High School. She claims her son stayed out of trouble and also tried to protect his friends during the shooting that claimed his life.
“Anybody who knew me knew he was my everything,” said Thompson-Jenkins. “He didn’t do drugs. He wasn’t in the streets. He did everything I asked him to do and he was on the right path.”
Lane’s death triggered an outcry in the community. Hundreds of people packed city hall in Trenton to take a stand against the violence plaguing the city.
A vigil for Lane was held Wednesday night at Trenton Central High School. Thompson-Jenkins, along with the school’s principal, guidance counselor and the local group, Mothers Against Violence, all attended.
“I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who gave me the love and support over the last two weeks,” said Thompson-Jenkins. “It has been the hardest two weeks of my life.”
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Thompson-Jenkins tells NBC10 she hopes the outpouring of support following her son’s murder translates into a more passionate effort to keep young people safe on the streets.
“My pain today can be any one of your pain tomorrow,” said Thompson-Jenkins. “You don’t want to feel what I feel right now.”
Trenton Central High School will also host the first meeting for TEAM Trenton tomorrow night at 6 p.m. The group consists of a team of volunteers who will combat gang activity in the city. The meeting is open to anyone who wants to take part in the effort to stop violence, according to organizers. They plan on marching Saturday and will target the gang hot spots in Trenton.
