Stricken mom sobs at funeral for son, 13, killed in most needless way as he slept in his bed
An Oregon mom sobbed at her 13-year-old son's funeral after he was fatally shot through the walls while asleep in his bed.
Liam Spahnle-Bailey fell asleep in Milwaukie on April 27, looking forward to go and snowboard with his dad, William, the next day, but he never woke up again.
That night, after several rounds of gunfire from a neighboring apartment pierced through the walls, Liam was shot at around 1.30am as he slept.
'They shot a 13-year-old boy sleeping in his bed, who only wanted to go snowboarding with his dad,' his mother, Jessica Bailey, told KOIN 6 News.
The young boy was rushed to hospital, but tragically succumbed to his injuries.
Bailey was then faced with the horror of laying her son to rest, instead of celebrating his 14th birthday.
'Instead of planning a celebration for his birthday today, we had a funeral,' she said.
'It's beyond difficult. There's no words for it, didn't really know how to plan a funeral for a 13-year-old,' Bailey added.
She wrote on Facebook: 'Happy 14th Birthday and your first as an Angel in Heaven. My sweet Boy, I miss you so much, this is tremendously heartbreaking.'
The hunt is on for two 20-year-olds, Anthony Hunter Jr and Xavier Hirsch, as well as Terrell Coy, 16, who are all wanted for Liam's death.
Gresham Police have said there is an arrest warrant for second-degree murder for each of them, KOIN reported.
'Today our entire community is mourning the killing of an innocent child. Our thoughts are with his family, friends ,classmates and neighbors. This shooting is a tragic reminder of how the impact of gun violence reaches far beyond the shooters and their intended victims,' Police Chief Travis Gullberg said in a statement.
'Our officers, detectives, and law enforcement partners will hold accountable everyone responsible for this child's death.'
Liam's brother, Gordon, told the outlet: 'There's nothing you can do to prevent it, and so I think to myself, like, what's stopping it from happening like right now to me or other families?'
His family, wearing the same pair of Liam's favorite sneakers, went to his favorite skate park, Stronger Skatepark, on Monday to remember the young teen.
'We've already taken care of his cremation and his funeral and everything that we've had to do since his death,' Bailey said.
'But now, while that's behind us, I feel like that's our main focus now is getting justice for Liam and finding the people who did this to him and to us.'
The skatepark hosted free skate lessons, free youth skate times, as well as selling custom skateboards in honor of Liam, with proceeds going to his family.
A GoFundMe for Liam's family said :'Liam has touched many people's lives. His family remembers him as loving, funny, genuine, a great friend and son.'
'His friends say he always had a smile on his face, and he was sure to put a smile on everyone's face around him. Liam loved to snowboard and skateboard in his free time. Liam loved his family and friends dearly.'
Liam's girlfriend, Grace, wrote on TikTok: 'I thought we were gonna grow old together and have the best future together. I couldn't imagine myself doing any of that with anyone but you. Your still forever my boyfriend, my soulmate, my sweet boy and my bestest friend.
'You made me the happiest I've ever been. You made me, me. I could always be myself around you. I could always tell you anything and everything. You always were there for me and listed and cared for everything. You made me feel so loved and appreciated for. Your the most sweetest boy.'
'I'm forever mad at that person and the universe for taking you away from me.'
The post was accompanied with a compilation of memories the two shared.
Police have said the hunt for Liam's alleged killers is underway, and they are believed to be armed and dangerous.
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