MIAMI – Pedro Uriarte wanted to be an accountant, but he didn't make it to his Miami Jackson Senior High School graduation.
A gunman walked up to him and shot him to take his headphones, relatives said. It was about 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 29. The gunman left Pedro to die on the sidewalk near Paul Laurence Dunbar Elementary School, 505 NW 20 St., near Miami's Wynwood area.
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Police have yet to find the 18-year-old's killer. Family and friends will say good bye to a teen full of dreams Friday night and Saturday. And it won't be easy for Pedro's parents.
When his mother heard the news, she collapsed in tears and went into shock. Neighbors watched helplessly and teared up. Pedro had recently celebrated his 18th birthday.
"My son was not a bad person. He was a very good boy. He was loved," Pedro's dad, Manuel Uriarte, said.
Residents said they heard a half a dozen shots, but not one person could describe the robber, who took Pedro's life. He was only a block away from home.
Uriarte was asking witnesses to come forward and tell police if they had seen the robber who killed his son, or knew him to please come forward.
"I'm asking anyone with information to please help us," the distraught father said.
Miami Jackson Senior High School students chose to wear their headphones and black Monday to school to protest their classmate's killing and show solidarity with the Uriarte family.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho offered his condolences, and said Monday was a sad day.
"All he wanted to do was graduate," said Abraham Zamot, one of Pedro's friends.
About two dozen people showed up to the scene of the killing Monday night for a prayer vigil. The area where he died had heart-shaped balloons, cards and stuffed animals.
Pedro's wake will be at 7 p.m., Friday, at Vista Gardens Memorial, 14200 NW 57th Ave. A Roman Catholic mass will be held at 9 a.m., Saturday, at Saint John Bosco Catholic Church, 1349 W Flagler St, followed by a burial.