Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Photos: Fight Breaks Out At Memorial Service For Teen Killed On LES For His Jacket
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 10, 2013
Modified Jan 10, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
View all 7
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 10, 2013
Modified Jan 10, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A memorial for a 16-year-old who was fatally shot on the Lower East Side last Friday descended into chaos on Wednesday afternoon. Police previously released surveillance video of four men who they believe killed Raphael Ward for his Marmot winter parka last week. Yesterday was his memorial service—a witness who was stopped in traffic on the 2nd Avenue bus saw the fight happen outside the Provenzano Lanza Funeral Home on 2nd Avenue between E. 3rd and E. 2nd Streets: "It was sickening, and really weird to see."
The witness, who spoke with us on the condition that we only publish his first name, John, told us he saw "a huge mass" of teenagers crowded around the front of Lanza's as the bus approached 3rd Street: "We see the crowd shift, I see an older man with a cane shouting and being pushed by a teenager, and there's the guy in a suit trying to separate them." As the bus started to move, people started running down the street in all directions—as you can see in the photos above.
Halfway down the block, I see a group form in front of 23 Second avenue. One kid had something in his hand—it looked like a metal rod from a bedframe, and he was violently swinging it, bringing it down on the ground. There was a car parked next to him, so I couldn't see what was on the ground, just the upper half of his body.
John added the crowd of kids then went into the subway as the bus pulled away. You can see more photos from the scene at EV Grieve.
Police have made one arrest in the case so far: Timothy Montalvo, 16, has been charged with criminal possession of a weapon and murder. It is unclear if he’s suspected of shooting Ward. Police are still looking for the other three suspects.
Tagged
death
fight
jacket
LES
manhattan
memorial service
Raphael Ward
shooting
teen
original
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .