TACOMA, Wash. — A community is mourning after learning one of Tacoma's most well-known youth volunteers died on Tuesday.
On Dec. 14, "Big Chris" Cherry was found shot multiple times just after 3:30 a.m. on South State Street, near Bates Technical College.
Cherry, 24, was taken to the hospital for treatment. After two weeks in critical condition, he died Tuesday morning.
Cherry's death is Tacoma's 31st homicide of the year.
Dr. Timmie Foster still remembers meeting Cherry for the first time over a year ago when she hosted a community event for teenagers. She said as soon as Cherry saw what was going on, he signed up to help.
"He said, I want to be a part of whatever you all are doing and literally jumped on board with us and worked with us until the last two or three weeks ago," she recalled.
Dr. Foster said Cherry found his own voice while mentoring Tacoma's youth, and his lessons included exposing young people to the arts and entrepreneurship.
Cherry was also known to work with multiple organizations, including the Push for Dreams, Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center, TEAMWork, Innovative Changemakers, and the Eastside Boys and Girls Club.
His goal was to spread awareness on the dangers of gun violence and its effect on young people.
Dr. Foster said that many of Tacoma’s youth know about that impact firsthand.
"They are still very scared for their lives,” Foster said. “They've been impacted, 80% of our babies through the surveys that Big Chris was a part of conducting, talked about still fearing for their lives."
Dr. Foster hopes Cherry's death serves as a call to action.
“Big Chris really took the initiative to do more when he saw an issue," she said. “I just urge all of these organizations that get to work with the babies in the community, the young people, and the elders, we have to band together and do more."
Tacoma Police are still looking for the shooter, and are asking anyone with information to reach out to the Tacoma Police Department.