“We’re gonna be here to fight for him to the end”: Mother of teen killed in Pennsylvania Ave. shooting demands justice

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - 17-year-old Shinobi Pitts was tragically killed by another teenager who knew him, just outside of his home.

SEE: SPD investigating deadly shooting in the 500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue

Shinobi’s mother says her son was artistic, driven, and funny. He had aspirations to pursue a career in the arts. But on Thursday night, his young life was tragically cut short.

“He just loved his family, his friends. He was just special,” said Shinobi’s mother, Sophy Garcia.

17-year-old Shinobi Pitts loved to design clothes and play instruments. Now, those designs are displayed in his home in his memory.

Also, in his home: a poster board filled with notes from friends, with messages reading “I’ll never forget you” and “It’s not your fault.”

He was allegedly killed by 17-year-old Zaki Lowe, who police have now arrested.

Lowe, now charged with murder and aggravated assault, is being held without bond.

Shinobi’s mother says, the two knew each other.

“There was a fight that broke out in eighth grade. And from what my understanding is, my son beat him up,” said Garcia.

The two hadn’t seen each other for years, until a few days ago when they ran into each other at an event. Lowe had reached out to Shinobi on social media, asking to meet up. Shinobi had told his mother he wasn’t going.

“If anything, I’m going to just make him look like a fool and let him come out here and just be out there,” said Garcia. “I’m not going to show up.”

But sadly, he did. Now, in that space where the two boys met up, sits Shinobi’s memorial.

“We go just to sit there and kind of speak to him,” said Garcia.

Shinobi’s family says they’re going to keep demanding justice, for the 17-year-old, who had his whole life ahead of him.

“We’re gonna be here to fight for him to the end. Until I get the justice that he deserves,” said Garcia.

Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m., Shinobi’s family will hold a vigil for him, at the site where he was killed in Savannah Gardens.