Family, friends gather to remember Rickie Dunn

As Columbia police search for his killer, family and friends of Rickie Dunn lit candles and walked from Hickman High School to the place where Dunn was shot and killed Sunday morning.

Prayers, songs, tears and laughter were heard as they remembered a person they call a great family man and a leader.

But among all of that, the group had a plea.

“If there are any witnesses that have seen what happened, step forward,” said Kentrell Minton, a friend of Dunn.

Minton said the “no snitch” culture has got to end if people want to see justice.

“There’s no such thing as snitching when it’s your own,” Minton said. “Rickie Dunn is our own, so definitely, if you know anything, please come forward. Speak your peace. You will not go unheard.”

Reba Newman, Dunn’s girlfriend, had a similar plea. She said she just wants witnesses to cooperate with police.

“The police are not bad people,” Newman said. “They will help you.”

Newman said witnesses also need to come forward to help the second victim, an 18-year-old who was shot Sunday morning and is in the hospital.

“Someone needs to help the little boy,” she said. “If you’re his friend, you need to say something.”

Newman said she is heartbroken for the loss of her boyfriend and for the pain their children are experiencing.

And as for friends, including Minton, they said the focus needs to be on helping their community.

“You know, we sit here and we fight and complain and we talk about what’s going on in Ferguson,”Minton said. “But what do we do when it’s going on amongst the black community?”

Another vigil will be held for Dunn tomorrow night at the Hickman High School football field, where Dunn once played football. The vigil will start at 9 p.m.

The funeral for Dunn will be held Saturday.