Community in mourning after boy, 9, found dead in New Kensington

PITTSBURGH (WPXI) — One western Pennsylvania community is devastated after a 9-year-old boy was found dead Wednesday.

On Thursday night, hundreds in the East Ken Manor community came together to remember their late neighbor, 9-year-old Azuree Charles.

“He was honestly a super nice person, and I can’t believe someone would do that to him,” one of his friends said.

The news also hit Azuree's 3rd grade teacher especially hard.

“He was the most innocent, sweet, kind and carrying child that I have ever met.”

The vigil for the boy comes just one day after he was found dead behind a shed near his house.

No one has been charged but the county's district attorney confirms there is a person of interest, although she won’t specify who, or their relationship to the child.

In the meantime, police picked up Azuree's father Thursday afternoon on unrelated charges.

Police had a warrant out for Jean Charles for a simple assault and child endangerment case from November.

He is accused of punching his son in the eye, causing bruising, and has since been denied bail.

“We are unified in solving this homicide and I really cannot stress that enough,” says Westmoreland County DA Nicole Ziccarelli.

And as the investigation presses on, officers spent the day canvassing this New Kensington neighborhood.

People in the community all agreed that, under no circumstance, should they have to hold a vigil for a child in the first place.

“You never have to hurt a child; I don't care who you are. There are safe places for these kids. Look at this, this is our future. We have to love them no matter what!”

Police haven't made any arrests or named any suspects, and they also haven't said if Jean Charles is considered a person of interest in his son’s death.

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