By Howard Koplowitz
Family members and supporters of slain Jamaica resident Tony McFadden Jr. II, who was murdered in the neighborhood in October, celebrated his life Saturday by marching from his Jamaica home to the site where he was killed before stopping to gather in Roy Wilkins Park.
McFadden was killed after a man rang his bell and asked to speak to a man with braids. McFadden and the man shook hands after a discussion before the visitor pulled out a gun and fatally shot him once in the head.
Louis Cherry was charged with McFadden’s murder and the case is currently in court.
McFadden’s family said he did not know Cherry.
Saturday “was important to me because I wanted my brother’s legacy to live on and his memory to not be forgotten,” said McFadden’s sister, Talia McFadden, 30.
With her family, Talia McFadden started the Tony McFadden Jr. II Foundation to prevent gun violence and give youth an outlet.
“I wanted to send a message to families that they can pick up the legacy that their children left behind and the violence that our community is plagued with,” she said. “It’s not over. My brother is still here inspiring.”
McFadden’s brother, 23-year-old Julius McFadden, said his brother “loved family and really loved people who were striving.
“My brother was a strong individual,” Julius McFadden said. “He was dedicated, motivated, he worked hard.”
The march began at 174-20 125th St., where McFadden lived.
“This house meant a great deal to us,” said McFadden’s mother, Sherian McFadden. “My son loved this house, loved this neighborhood, loved this community. For him to be snuffed out like that was a great loss to this community. My son will be missed.”
McFadden, who was known as “Tone Macc” to family and friends, was a multitalented musician and rapper.
“My brother did a lot of videos here that you can find on YouTube,” Talia McFadden said. “My brother’s memory is with us. I can remember a lot of parties at this house, especially when our parents were at work.”
McFadden’s father, Tony McFadden Jr., used the opportunity to ask the community to stop the violence.
“It’s like an epidemic now,” he said. “The next one can be right here in your family.”
The group then marched to 177-53 119th Road, the site where McFadden took his last breaths, as they chanted, “Man up, guns down, families against the violence.”
“We’re here to remind this community that we must put an end to the violence,” McFadden Jr. said. “You don’t want to go through this type of ordeal.”
The family was joined by the father of another southeast Queens man who was murdered in the neighborhood last year.
Imam Shaheed Morrow lost his son, Kedrick Ali Morrow, who was killed during a college party in 2010, and urged similar families to stand up together.
“Like Mr. Tony and Kedrick, we’re going to fight,” he said. “When someone’s loved one dies, we have to be there.”
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
