Mother seeks answer in son's death
She is holding two fund-raisers to raise reward money. Her son was killed in July at 15.
Bette Ann Clark sometimes wonders if the killer of her 15-year-old son, Timmy, is someone she knows.
Whoever it is, she is determined to find out.
So far, through the help of family, friends, and her neighbors in the Tacony section, she has raised $8,000 in reward money for information in the case.
It has not produced any good leads, so today Clark will hold a car wash at her home to increase the reward. And on July 12 - the eve of the first anniversary of her son's death - she plans a beef-and-beer benefit at the Sheffield Tavern, 4501 Sheffield St.
Clark's efforts mirror a trend in the city in which families of homicide victims stage fund-raisers to establish rewards administered by the Citizens Crime Commission.
Timmy Clark was shot and killed early July 13 while walking home from a store with Damien Holloway, 27, a family friend.
Detectives believe a gunman lying in wait fatally shot the two at close range a block from the teenager's home. They also suspect that Holloway was the target and that Timmy was killed because he was a witness.
That weighs on Clark, making her think Timmy recognized the gunman.
"Is it someone we know?" she said. "It could be someone I'm standing on line with.
"It is so heartbreaking to know that this person who killed your youngest child . . . is still walking the streets," Clark said.
"In doing this, I am hoping that maybe one day, someone will find the courage to speak up for Timmy and give him and his family, friends, neighbors and the community the justice we so rightly deserve."
Anyone with information may call the crime commission tip line at 215-546-8477.
If You Go
The car wash begins at 10:30 a.m. at 6814 Vandike St. in the Tacony section.
For information about the July 12 fund-raiser, call Bette Ann Clark at 267-408-7830.