Family members described Christopher Lassiter, the 4-year-old who was fatally shot by his brother last week, as a sweet boy who loved superheroes and basketball. Watch video
EAST ORANGE -- The 4-year-old boy who was fatally shot by his 5-year-old brother last week loved the film "The Avengers" and aspired to be a doctor, family members said Friday outside his funeral.
More than 100 mourners made their way into the services held at New Hope Baptist Church on Norman Street, just seven buildings from where Christopher Lassiter was fatally wounded Saturday. Many donned shirts with the logo of fictional superhero Captain America, something the young child adored, the boy's aunt the Rev. Arvetta Woody told reporters outside the church surrounded by other family.
"He thought he was his own superhero," Woody said of Christopher. "We thank everyone that has come to lift [his mother Itiyanah Spruill] up because she needs it in this time."
Spruill was arrested on charges of endangering the welfare of a child and a weapons offense, which she pleaded not guilty to Tuesday.
While she is being held on $310,000 bail, she was permitted to attend a viewing of her slain child before the funeral services.
"She got the opportunity to have the freedom to grieve," the church's pastor Dwight D. Gil said of Spruill, who was handcuffed during her last goodbye to her boy. "It's been very emotional this morning. ... It's difficult to watch a child, a 4-year-old, be in a casket."
Posts on social media are making Spruill seem like a criminal, when she is not, a woman who would only identify herself as a family member said.
"My niece loved her children unconditionally," she said.
Kimayah Harrington, a second cousin to Christopher, said the two used to play basketball together. The 7-year-old, wearing a shirt with an image of them embracing one another, said her cousin loved macaroni and one day wanted to be a doctor.
"He was just an active, typical 4-year-old," Harrington's mother Kristian McCray said. "He was Captain America for Halloween. He was so sweet, very sweet."
After the church ceremony, the child's body was taken to Heavenly Rest Cemetery in East Hanover in a motorcycle hearse, following behind about 20 bikers who revved their engines before taking off.
Thomas Ellis, president of Enough is Enough, an anti-violence coalition in Newark, said while now is not the time to place blame, he had a message for the family.
"A gun is not a toy," 57-year-old Ellis said, adding that he has been shot before. "The toughest time for this family will be tomorrow morning. That's always the toughest -- when you wake up and realize that person is never coming back."
Luke Nozicka may be reached at lnozicka@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @lukenozicka. Find NJ.com on Facebook.