Friends, family gather in Harrisburg to remember 16-year-old killed by gunfire

Charlotte King’s connection to faith and God is what’s holding her together as she accepts that her 16-year-old has departed the world.

Chay’nce King-Henderson was gunned down in his backyard in the 2200 block of Berryhill Street early Thursday morning, police said. It happened around 2 a.m.

His friends and family gathered in Harrisburg on Saturday to honor him.

“I don’t understand the peace that I have,” King said after hosting a balloon release vigil in his memory. “I think he’s at peace. He’s not worrying. He’s not stressing. I feel that peace within me.”

The 2300 block of Berryhill Street was flooded with cars Saturday afternoon. Some drivers double-parked or parked on the sidewalk to try to not miss releasing the balloons.

“He was the life of everything,” King said. “He was the life of the party. The life of the family. He was the life of his friends. He was the life of every stranger he came in contact with. He was an amazing young man.”

Some of his friends were choking back tears, others were hugging and sobbing.

“Chay’nce was very concerned for months about something like this happening to him,” King said. “He wanted to leave the city of Harrisburg. Our plan was to move on July 1; we were going to move out of this city. I wanted to get my children to a better environment. I just have peace in me that he’s not living like that anymore. He’s not in fear of his safety no more.”

The Sci-Tech sophomore always gave you his undivided attention, and took an interest in others’ lives, King said.

“He was just an all-around joyful person to be around,” King said. “There was just nothing that he couldn’t do.”

King said she’s going to honor her son’s wishes this summer. She plans on moving out of Harrisburg, but she’s not giving up on helping her community. She said she wants to be part of the conversation to make it a safer place.

“I think he knew,” King said of his shooting. “It was happening to his friends around him. He didn’t want to run into that situation. He was trying to remove himself from a problem before a problem occurred. When he got into situations, he handled them with maturity for a 16-year-old. If he had been in a situation where he felt that he wronged someone, he worked out the situation.”

King said her son and daughter are “maintaining,” but they are both missing their brother.

“My daughter lost her protective brother,” she said. “She has one brother, who is her sibling rivalry, and one that showered her with love. For my 17-year-old son, it was his best friend, his only friend, his right hand. He lost a whole lot. I’m just keeping them in my prayers.”

Chaynce Henderson

Chaynce Henderson with his father, Darnell Henderson. (Photo courtesy of Lavet Henderson)

There is a paved alley, and garages, behind Chay’nce’s home, where he lived with his grandmother. He ran into a neighbor’s yard and collapsed after being shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was believed to be the target of the gunfire, but police and prosecutors have not released any possible motive or suspect information. No arrests have been made.

The teen’s death marked the city’s fourth homicide so far this year. Police have filed charges in the three prior homicide cases.

“My son’s life was not taken in vain,” King said. “My work will continue in the community. I feel him with me everywhere I go. People should remember that he loved everybody. He had no problems with anybody. He had nothing but love in his heart for everybody.”

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