Members of the Bridgeport community put out passionate plea Wednesday to not to pass judgment on the actions of a 14-year-old boy who police say was killed after crashing a stolen car.
Community members gathered at the Greene Homes apartments in the Hollow section of Bridgeport, where they are mourning the death of 14-year-old Joshua Roman.
They say Roman, an honor student at Kolbe Cathedral High School, was known for his amazing skills on the basketball court.
Police say the incident happened Monday after Roman stole a Honda Pilot while its owner was paying for gas inside the Exxon on Post Road East.
Westport police say they chose not to chase Roman for safety reasons, and he later crashed in Fairfield a short time later.
His aunt says the negative influence of others lead him to make a bad choice, and that one tragic moment should not define his whole life.
Adult mentor, 35-year-old Joe Grits says he, himself, stole a car at the same age, but wasn't caught, and his life could just as easily have taken this tragic turn.
The family says the funeral is set for Friday, and that they're raising money
on GoFundMe.