Family trying to raise money to cover funeral, burial expenses

CALUMET CITY | The family of a 15-year-old boy who was shot to death by police officers in his south suburban home has created a website and is holding two events to try to raise money needed for funeral and burial expenses.

People can use their credit cards to make donations at www.justiceforstephonwatts.com. Also, events were to be held Wednesday night at Will's Sports Bar, 2425 E. State St. in Burnham, and at Manny's Blue Room Lounge, 2911 S. Claire Road in Robbins, to try to raise money.

The latter event was coordinated by friends of the Watts family, said Renee Watts, Stephon's sister. The event in Burnham was organized by 4th Ward Alderman Brian Wilson, whom Renee Watts said has been supportive of the Watts family in recent days.

Renee Watts said the family's goal is to come up with $10,000, which would cover the costs for a funeral and burial.

Visitation for Stephon Watts will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the New Zion Christian Fellowship Temple, 14200 Chicago Road in Dolton, the Watts family said Wednesday. A funeral service will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Lincoln Cemetery, 11900 Kedzie Ave. in Blue Island.

Stephon Watts died last week when he was shot by police when they responded to a call of a domestic dispute at his home. Police have said the 15-year-old grabbed a kitchen knife and cut the arm of a police officer, although his family says he was holding a butter knife at the moment he was shot.