300 Mourners Gather at Vigil for Man Mistakenly Slain by Gang

Glen Wright

Relatives, friends, teachers, and students gathered last night to mourn the tragic death of Glen Wright, who was stabbed to death outside his grandmother's East Village building because gang members mistook him for someone else. (We noted this devastating story yesterday, and like many, we're still profoundly saddened.) Wright, who died at age 21, was taking a break from helping his grandmother wash windows at the Baruch Houses on the Lower East Side when a group of men approached him. Suspect Joel Herrera, 20, is accused of stabbing Wright repeatedly in the neck; he told detectives he confused Wright with someone who assaulted one of his friends. Cops are searching for the other assailants.

Last night's vigil was held at the East Harlem Tutorial Program, where Wright mentored children and was known for his skill at building robots. That so many mourners attended only underscores what relatives and friends have said about Wright, that he was a kind, thoughtful young man with a bright future. Besides volunteering and caring for his younger brother with Down syndrome, Wright was enrolled at the Borough of Manhattan Community College and an avid skateboarder. Danny Peralta, a former coach of Wright's robotics team, told the Times, "He was one of those kids that honestly ran away from trouble and violence, and for it to catch up to him like that, it’s just the worst thing I can think of."

The Daily News has more on the vigil, and a heartbreaking news segment from WABC is below. Wright's funeral will be held on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at Benta's Funeral Home, 630 St. Nicholas Avenue. If you'd like to make a donation to the East Harlem Tutorial Program in Glen Wright's name or get involved, you can do so here.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on September 16, 2009 2:11 PM

Comments [rss]

rserenity

On behalf of the Glenn Wright family we just want you all to know we are aware of your concern and reading your messages. We appreciate everyone's support. Our brother was as phenomenal as described and he will be missed. We intend to keep his legacy alive and thriving through various humanitarian and community support efforts. At this time EHTP is designated as the official trustee and representatives on behalf of the "Glenn Wright Fund." Please direct all of your inquiries or contributions to them.

www.ehtp.org

212-831-0650

Thank you from the entire family

sexisicilian

Thank you for the info, again so sorry for your loss.

OKD

Glen was one of my son's best friends. They went to school together, were on the East Harlem Tutorial Robotics Team together, they were summer camp counselors together, they volunteered together at EHTP and campaigning for the Democratic District Leader of East Harlem. My son was with Glen at Coney Island celebrating on the beach, the night before my son left for College last week, most of his happiest moments were spent with Glen and his friends, during his high school years. They all love each other so much. They are all good kids. My son will never get over this, ever, he is devastated.

There is nothing sadder, nor harder than loosing a child, and it is horribly compounded by the tragedy of the disgusting circumstances. If there ever was a good, more deserving person of everything life has to offer, it was Glen. May he rest in peace. I hope they are skateboarding in heaven. May his family take solace in the fact that their child was TRULY loved in his community.

The Family of Dax Feliz

Oxford

@7 is spot on. truly tragic and awful.

Wza

No.

thelexiphane

Isn't this the kind of thing emblematic of the 'ol gritty NYC the loss of which so many commenters are usually lamenting?

Soggy

I read about so many horrible things every day and thought I was jaded, but this story just crushes me. I'll be making a donation, too.

theevilone

Ditto.

Colochita

I’ve tutored at East Harlem Tutorial; it’s a good program serving good kids who just need extra educational support. It would be a great thing if a fund was set up for the younger brother with Down’s but in the meantime, donating to EHTP would also do a lot of good. As would volunteering there, as Glen did… they have a few different levels of time commitment and ways you can help out.

Rocknrope

I wish I could donate directly to the family. Who's going to care for the 14-year old brother with Down Syndrome now that the mother and brother are dead? The grandmother?

Nonetheless, I'll donate to the link above in Mr. Wright's name, and I hope the Gothamist readers do so too. We constribute a lot of snark on this site, let's try to do something positive for them in this case.

dilligaf

I start to hate this city more and more everyday.

This "kid" was more of a man than most I have run across is recent years. Just s stand up person doing the right thing. and some pussy gang members that are never goign to amount to anything ended his life, for nothing. My pryers go out to his family and friends.

neckbeard

I don't know if this makes sense to anybody but me, but when I read "Man" in this article it doesn't do it justice. He was only 21, just a kid. So fucked up. So sad.