CINCINNATI — Cincinnati police reported that a 16-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the death of 14-year-old Rakeem Blair Jr.
The 16-year-old appeared before a Hamilton County Juvenile Court magistrate on Tuesday. He faces charges including murder, felonious assault and having weapons under disability.
The teen did not enter a plea on Tuesday. He is currently being held at the Hamilton County Youth Center. He has been in the custody of Montgomery County Child Protective Services, but according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, has been listed as missing out of Dayton since July 21.
Prosecutors have requested that the 16-year-old be tried as an adult. His next court date is Sept. 1, and that hearing will not address the bind-over issue.
WATCH: Here's what happened at the 16-year-old arraignment Tuesday
Balloons filled the sky Monday evening as loved ones gathered at Mount Echo Park to remember Rakeem, days after he was shot near a vacant building in East Price Hill.
Family members say Blair later died from his injuries.
Blair's grandfather told WCPO the teenager had been throwing rocks at what they believed was a vacant house on Aug. 18 when someone came outside, and the situation escalated.
Blair's older brother, Trevion, described a young man whose personality was bigger than his age.
WATCH: Police arrest, charge 16-year-old with 14-year-old's death in East Price Hill
"He wanted to do everything I did. I was a boxer. He wanted to be a boxer. I played basketball. He wanted to play basketball. Anything I did, my baby wanted to do, and he did it!" Trevion said.
"He was everything. He ain't never show no hate to nobody. He always showed love to everybody!" Trevion said.
Trevion said Blair was more like a son to him than a younger brother.
"He my son basically…he ain't my baby brother…he my son…I was head first…I'm still head first…and I know that…" Trevion said.
Blair's grandfather, who did not want to be seen on camera, remembered the teenager affectionately known as "Ju-Ju."
"He had a big heart…smiled a lot. Loved to joke around, getting into boxing…Like I said, we grew up; we didn't have to worry about a rock versus a gun, and that's the bad thing about it," he said.
"Ju-Ju forever 14…we love, and we just bring peace upon everybody," he said.
As messages written on walls and sidewalks marked the place where Blair was shot in East Price Hill, balloons drifted overhead, crossing the Ohio River.
Blair's grandfather said he hopes Monday's vigil will not only honor his grandson's memory but also bring answers.
"His laughter…he was always jolly!" he said when asked what he would miss most.
He also called on community leaders to invest more in young people.
"I really don't know what to say…this is heartbreaking. They're putting money into everything; put money into these kids now. We need more money into the youth because they are the future," he said.
Blair's family has created a GoFundMe to pay for his funeral and burial expenses.
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