‘Tears of happiness.’ Family of Bridgeport boxer killed in 2020 speaks out for the first time since guilty verdict
Police say in September of 2020, Raymond Sierra, 27, also known as ‘Hollywood’ in the ring, was shot to death in front of his home on Union Avenue in Bridgeport.
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A jury found a Bridgeport man guilty on Friday in the 2020 killing of a local boxer.
Deontae Boykin was charged with felony murder and attempted robbery in the first degree.
Police say in September of 2020, Raymond Sierra, 27, also known as ‘Hollywood’ in the ring, was shot to death in front of his home on Union Avenue in Bridgeport. They found 26-year-old Boykin was involved in the shooting, but the family said the story is far from over since the person who actually pulled the trigger has yet to be identified and arrested.
Sierra’s family spoke with News 12 Connecticut’s Frank Recchia on Sunday for the first time since the ruling.
"To actually hear the jurors say 'guilty' brought tears of happiness,” said Irma Borges, Sierra’s sister-in-law.
His family gathered around their home on Union Avenue to mark this major milestone on their journey to justice. Sierra's mother said it’s been a heartbreaking experience, but she is happy to finally have a sense of relief.
"It's not going to bring him back, of course, but it gives us some type of closure and understanding to know justice,” said Ashley Sanchez, the mother of three of Sierra's five children. “That's what we wanted the whole time."
Borges said the witnesses provided clear testimony, which gave the jurors enough context to come to a decision. The family said for the first time in a long time they can breathe easy and begin to rebuild their lives.
"At least someone is being punished for what they've done to our family,” Borges said.
MORE: Murder trial begins in fatal shooting of amateur Bridgeport boxer
