9 years later, 7-year-old’s family still seeks justice in 2015 Labor Day shooting

CHARLOTTE — It was one of the most violent weekends in Charlotte’s history.

During Labor Day weekend in 2015, 12 people were shot and five of them died.

There are certain stories that stick with you. This is one of mine.

9 years ago, 7-year-old Kevin Rodas was playing with a piñata at a birthday party. As the candy fell, he was shot and killed.

No arrests have been made.

His mother pays tribute to Kevin at 6 on @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/lzurIlyTzx
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) September 5, 2024

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One of the victims was a 7-year-old boy, Kevin Rodas. Nine years later, the family still doesn’t know who pulled the trigger.

“Only a person who has lost a child is one who knows what I have lived in these nine years,” Kevin Rodas’ mom, Maria, said in an interview with Channel 9 this week.

She says she has suffered nine years of tears, pain, and heartbreak.

On Sept. 5, 2015, Rodas was playing with a piñata at a birthday party. As the candy fell, the shots rang out and Maria ran to her son.

“I didn’t care if there was a shooting,” she said. “I just saw that everyone was running and I ran where my child was. That’s where I ran because I felt that it was my son who was shot. I felt it in my heart.”

She and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers watched her 7-year-old little boy take his last breath.

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Since that dreadful evening, Maria Rodas has been loud in her quest for justice, even as the people who know what happened remain quiet.

CMPD says Kevin Rodas was an innocent bystander, shot and killed because of two feuding street gangs. There have still been no arrests.

“Every day is difficult, very difficult,” she said. “Because I would like to have him with me.”

Today, Kevin lives on in pictures on the wall and from memories in her heart. She prays one day she will have closure.

“I need answers. I want help,” she said. “I want to see those people behind bars.”

CMPD declined to do an interview about the case. A spokesperson says the case remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers.

“This case is actively being investigated by CMPD’s Homicide Cold Case Unit. Detectives in the unit are meticulously reviewing evidence and exploring new leads in this and the department’s other unsolved cases,” CMPD said in a statement. “Anyone with information about the murder of Kevin Rodas should call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or call 704-432-TIPS.”

(WATCH BELOW: Mother begs for someone to come forward after son’s slaying 3 years ago)