Family identifies man found dead on scaffolding outside Marble Hill NYCHA building
Friends told News 12 the man's legacy will live on through his teenage daughter.
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A man who was found dead on scaffolding outside of a NYCHA building in Marble Hill on Dec. 21 was identified by family members.
Black and white balloons flew past the NYCHA buildings on Saturday, as loved ones of 38-year-old Shamel Thompson honored his legacy in the community.
RELATED: Man’s body found on scaffolding outside Marble Hill NYCHA building
"It was just the tragedy all around. Whatever assumptions people make. But either way, someone's gone. They're not here. And a community is grieving," said Thompson's sister, Shakiva Pierre.
She said the family did not want to talk about what caused her younger brother's death, instead choosing to honor his kindness in the neighborhood.
"He spoke to everyone. He carried groceries for the elderly people in the community. And again, he seemed to just be one of one. And I'm proud to say he was my brother," Pierre said.
People who held Thompson as a newborn, childhood best friends and his first crush, Sade, were among the residents standing in the rain paying tribute to him.
"All I remember is he would go to the pizza shop up the street. He would give me a beef patty with cheese, coco bread," Sade said.
Candles were lit in Thompson's honor at the front door of the NYCHA building. Friends told News 12 the man's legacy will live on through his teenage daughter.
As of Saturday night, police had not confirmed if Thompson was the man who was found dead in the scaffolding.
