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Five year anniversary of Tucson teen's murder

Posted: Feb 4, 2013 9:17 PM by Rebecca Taylor
Updated: Feb 4, 2013 10:21 PM

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TUCSON - A Tucson teen is being remembered five years after his murder.

Someone gunned down 15-year old Ricardo Varela on February 4th, 2008 as he stepped out onto his front porch near Grant and Interstate 10.

Investigators don't think the shooter targeted the 15-year-old.

No arrest have ever been made and police still have no suspects.

Loved ones hope that by keeping Ricardo's story fresh in the media someone with information will come forward.

The sound of hymns filled Capilla de los Milagros church Monday night.

As family and friends mourn Ricardo Varela's death, they celebrate his life and the memories he left in their hearts.

Ricardo's dad Robert Varela says, "he was my helper, I did landscaping and he loved to do yard work with me on the weekends."

On February 4th, 2008 friends and family were playing cards outside a home near Grant and Fairview. Ricardo was inside with his grandma, and stepped outside to say goodnight.

That's when a gunman in a white SUV drove up, firing shots at the group. A bullet hit and killed Ricardo. His murder is still unsolved.

Ricardo's mom Lisa Varela says, "life will never be the same, everybody says it's going to be okay, that you'll move on. But you're never going to be okay, never."

Rene Varela was six years old when his brother died. Growing up without him is a void he feels every day.

"It's like hard because I see everybody with their older brothers playing football and playing catch," says Rene.

"I want him to know that I love him, with all my heart and I wish he could come back."

Ricardo would be 20 years old now.

If you have any information on the shooting, call 911 or 88-Crime. You can remain anonymous.

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