BURLINGTON, N.C. — A Triad mother is speaking out after her child was shot and killed by a stray bullet in Burlington last week.
Ashley Welcher wants justice for her seven-year-old son Mason Jenkins.
She told us he was the glue that held her family together.
"When I see my other two kids and I don't see him, that's going to be a big change," Welcher said.
She said her family just moved into Beaumont Avenue Apartments about three months ago. Now, it is unbearable to live there.
Burlington police said her son was hit by a stray bullet while sitting outside his apartment.
"He just wanted to go outside and play and be a kid... he couldn't even do that," Welcher said.
Sunday marked her first day back home since her son passed early that morning. Now, a memorial lies where her son was last seen.
"Sadly, his sister doesn't want to come back home because she's scared. It's sad because she needs her daughter and her daughter needs her mom," family member Tonya Teer shared.
The family is trying to piece together what happened. His mother said her son was the light in her household and a loving child. Welcher said her family spent most of the day inside Thursday but her children went outside to play later that night. Burlington police said around 8 p.m. Jenkins was hit by a stray bullet in his upper body and airlifted to the hospital.
On Sunday, the family hosted a prayer vigil to remember the little boy who brought so much joy to those around him.
"We have a lot of grief and people here, he was a sweet precious little baby," his mother stated, "He was gone way too soon and he was way too young."
At seven-years-old Mason Jenkins had his whole life ahead of him, his mother said he loved football.
Now his family wants justice.
Burlington Mayor Jim Butler said the city stands with Mason and will do everything possible to ensure justice is served.
"I can tell you that the City of Burlington is committed to putting the resources where necessary to do what Chief Balog and his team request and need in order to fulfill their obligation of public safety at the highest level," he said.
Police initially arrested two suspects in this case, but their charges were amended to gun possession charges after it was found that purposely false statements led to their arrests. On Monday the Burlington Police Department said it had charged a different person, Syquan Jaheem Mason-Rhames, 24, with first-degree murder.
Butler said the community has two obligations moving forward:
1. To uplift and surround Mason's family with love and support.
2. Come forward with any information about this shooting.
"We're trying to make a sense of a situation that is senseless. It requires everyone to come together to at least attempt to do that," Butler shared.
You can contact Burlington Police detectives directly at 336-229-3500 or submit anonymous tips to Alamance County Crime Stoppers at (336) 229-7100 or use the mobile app, P3 Tips. Every bit of information could be critical in this investigation.