A Philadelphia teen gunned down across from his high school will be laid to rest Saturday.
Bernard Scott died after being struck by gunfire during a fight at Tustin Playground at 60th Street and Lancaster Avenue on April 11. Tustin is across the street from Overbrook High School, where Scott was a student.
The 17-year-old was among a group of teens who began fighting at the park when witnesses say two people pulled out guns and started shooting. Scott and another 17-year-old were hit. Police say Scott was just an innocent bystander.
After finding the bloodied teen, a good Samaritan scooped him up and drove him to nearby Lankenau Medical Center in Penn Wynne, Pa.
Called BJ by his family, Scott's mother Darshell said nurses shared he was "scared" after arriving at the hospital. Scott's injuries were too severe and he later died during surgery.
Darshell Scott said she did not want her son at Overbrook High School or the Philadelphia School District. She moved her family to Ohio three years ago to get away from the city, but was forced to move back after struggling to find work.
"He was struggling. With the schools he was attending, I didn't believe they were actually really trying to help him," she said. "I don't have very many regrets, but at the same time I don't have my baby anymore either."
Two suspects, 19 and 20-years-old, were taken into police custody. Although, no charges have been filed.
The Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation is in the process of drawing up new regulations to ban guns from city-owned parks and playgrounds.
This comes after Mayor Michael Nutter signed a bill in early April giving the department the authority to do put a gun ban in place. Violators would face a $2,000 fine.
Funeral services for Scott will take place at Sharon Baptist Church in the Overbook Section of Philadelphia Saturday.
