The family of a murdered teen begs for help from the public. 18-year-old Lynn Marcus Snowden was stabbed to death on October 22nd at a party where several fights had broken out. It happened near Sunset and 8th in Kerman.
There were about 70 people at the Kerman house party, leading Sheriff Margaret Mims to believe at least one person witnessed the crime. Mims hopes an increased reward may entice folks to come forward with information.
Snowden's grieving family gathered around Mims Thursday morning at the Fresno County Sheriff's Department. It's been nearly two months since the 18-year-old was murdered and they say it's time for some answers.
"We're asking for help, as a family that's been completely devastated by this loss. It's been very painful for a lot of people. Lynn has many many close friends," said Michelle Ochoa, the victim's aunt.
The Sheriff says Snowden was not a gang member. He was a church-goer, a former Kerman High School student and a football player. The high school's principal said Snowden was getting his diploma at the continuation school up until the time he was killed. Mims says he was in the wrong place and the wrong time.
"He was a young person who attended a party and a fight broke out, and as a result he was murdered," said Mims.
Candles are left out and fliers are taped to trees in the area where Snowden was killed. Carlos Garcia, who lives nearby, still can't believe what happened in his community, let along his neighborhood.
"Hopefully somebody will get the guts to say, 'Yeah, I know who it was.' We have got to get this solved because we don't want that person running around Kerman," said Garcia.
Snowden's family begs those with information to come forward and talk to detectives.
"By not talking to them you're doing Lynn, as well as the entire community, a terrible injustice," said Ochoa.
The reward for information that leads to an arrest is $2,000. If you have a tip, call 488-3262. You can remain anonymous.