A young boy was found dead in a dumpster in West Philadelphia.
12-year-old Hezekiah Bernard, who was also known as Hezzy, was identified by the police after his body was found in a dumpster near Haddington Homes in Philadelphia.
According to the preliminary findings, the boy likely died from a gunshot wound to the head before his body was disposed of in a gruesome manner.
Inspector Ernest Ransom of the Philadelphia Police Department’s Homicide Unit also confirmed that the case is being investigated as a homicide.
Hezzy’s body was discovered on August 23 by a sanitation worker from the city’s Housing Authority upon collection of the trash from the dumpster at 55th Street and Cherry Street.
The police have since confirmed that the boy was never reported missing. They also said they believed the child was dead at least 24 hours before his body was found.
It was further revealed that the child was in the custody of the Department of Human Services at the time of his death.
“We feel like there’s some sense of justice that needs to be served,” Inspector Ransom said during a press conference while the police struggle to identify persons of interest and the motive for the shocking killing.
“We need the help of the public to identify the offenders in this investigation,” he added.
“Again, Mr. Bernard was 12 years old. He was brutally, brutally killed, and placed in a trash can. The focus of this investigation is the swift apprehension of those involved in this business.”
Meanwhile, hundreds of people gathered to pay tribute to the late boy.
Leading the service was Pastor Aaron Campbell who said Hezekiah was a “beloved” member of his mentorship organization LevelUp.
“This was a 12-year-old, a baby. Many here saw him as their younger brother,” he said as he remembered the boy’s passion for dancing and his ability to light up a room with his presence.
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