Elijah Galbreath, 16

Elijah Galbreath, a 16-year-old teenager, was shot and killed Sunday, Sept. 27, in the 1900 block of East 103rd Street in Watts, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

About 2:20 p.m. Galbreath was walking west on East 103rd when a light-colored sedan approached and a person got out, walked up behind Galbreath and shot him, said LAPD Officer Ronald Kingi.

"I don't think he had a chance," Kingi said. "You're walking in your own neighborhood in broad daylight and you don't think something like this is going to happen."

The shooter sped away and Galbreath was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2:46 p.m.

On Sept. 29, at a vigil held for Galbreath where he was shot, teammates from his football squad at Augustus Hawkins High school stood alongside friends, family and former teammates around a cluster of candles that spelled out "Elijah." The chatter was solemn.

"This is so sad," one woman said. "He was shot right here," a teenager pointed. "I'm trying to hold it in," another said. "I'm trying to keep a straight face," another replied.

Elder Mike Cummings, also known as "Big Mike" addressed the crowd. He said he was tired of coming to vigils and said he community needs a better way of reaching out to young people.

"I'm tired of meeting them like this," he said.

He then called for 100 days and 100 nights of peace.

"For Elijah's death not to be in vain, we need to make a change," he said.

Galbreath's mother, Timeca Person-Galbreath, sobbed near the candles and shouted, "It's so hard. My baby ain't coming back to me."

Her older son, who is away at college, listened in on a phone.

Vatrice Dooley, Galbreath's aunt, said that her nephew played football at Southeast High School and had just transferred to Augustus Hawkins High School.

From an early age, he had "speed like you couldn't believe."

"This kid had some serious talent," she said.

His former coach, Marco Navarrete, the head coach at Southeast High, said that Galbreath was a leader.

"He was one of those kids that kind of motivated the guys," he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Criminal Gang Homicide Division at (323) 786-5111. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @nicolesantacruz and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.