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Why this Chesterfield mother does not want child’s shooter to come forward on Christmas

Posted at 5:04 PM, Dec 24, 2013
and last updated 2013-12-24 17:08:16-05

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - The mother of a Chesterfield child killed by celebratory gunfire on July 4 does not want the person who fired the fatal shot to come forward -- at least not this week.

"I can't imagine if it's a man that has children, I don't want them losing their dad around the holidays because of an arrest. It's not their fault," Marie Harris said on Christmas Eve.

Harris' son, seven-year-old Brendon Mackey, was killed by a seemingly random gunshot. The bullet struck the child in the head while he walked with his father to a Fourth of July fireworks show at Sunday Park in Brandermill.

Mackey04This Christmas, nearly six months since Brendon's death, his empty stocking was hung at the family's home, along with a teddy bear and ornaments with the child's picture.

Despite thousands of dollars in reward money for anyone who comes forward with information about who pulled the trigger, no one has been arrested for the shooting.

"As time goes on you lose hope," Harris said.

Earlier this month Chesterfield Police spoke to the media in order to get Mackey's case back on the minds of those in Chesterfield who might have information detectives need.

"We are at a point now where we've exhausted all leads," Chesterfield Police Capt. Chris Hensley said. "We need the public's assistance for more information."

Police asked anyone with information to call Crimesolvers at 804-748-0660.