Community turns out for vigil

HUNTINGTON -- Despite Thursday's rainy weather, more than 70 people lit candles during a vigil for 19-year-old Rashuwn Harless, who died in a shooting incident Sunday.

Friends, family members, former classmates, and former basketball and football coaches gathered in the 1500 block of 7th Avenue where the 19-year-old was shot during an exchange of gunfire with Marshall University police officers. Authorities have reported that a foot chase began after customers at a nearby gasoline station spotted Harless with a gun. Police reported that Harless hid behind a large trash receptacle, started firing and two MUPD officers returned fire, wounding Harless in the head. He died one day later.

Although many residents are eager for more answers about the shooting, they took the time out Thursday to share memories of a caring young man they say will be missed.

"He was a great person and always had a smile on his face," said longtime family friend Clarence Martin, who used to be an official at youth football and basketball games that Harless participated in.

"I remember throwing a penalty flag on him during a football game because he was holding," Martin said. "He looked at me and said, 'Why did you do that?.' Then he told me, 'I bet you won't catch me the next time.' "

Beuford Page, Harless' uncle, came from Atlanta with his wife Yovonne Harless-Page. He said Harless would always come spend the summers with them at their home.

"I remember the time we took him to Disney World," Page said. "He had so much fun. He was very respectable and just a great, humble person."

Family members said Harless also was devoted to his three-month-old child Kamari Naray Harless, and the child's mother, Kayla Dunfee.

"He was a very good daddy," Dunfee said. "He would spend the whole day with her when I went to school. He was very protective as well."

Harless-Page, who organized the vigil, said she was very pleased at the turnout and how so many came to show their support for her nephew despite the weather conditions.

"He was loved by many," she said. "He was a gentle giant. The child they portray in the media, I don't know him."

The vigil closed out with a gospel song, "Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross."

Rev. Samuel Moore urged the crowd to still have hope and support Harless' family through a difficult time in their lives.

"There's a lot of confusion surrounding this situation, but we have to dedicate ourselves to rescuing each other," he said.

Moore held Harless' child and said, "This is our future and what we have to be responsible for."