Miguel Angel Raya Obituary, Death – Gabriel Lee, a 27-year-old man, was spending the holiday weekend with his family when his life was abruptly cut short in a tragic shooting on Saturday. Now, his loved ones are speaking out, demanding justice and calling for an end to the gun violence that claimed his life.
His mother, Pastor Nekisha Cosey, expressed the deep pain and sorrow that has come with losing her son in such a violent way. “How many more mothers have to cry like this?” she asked, her voice filled with emotion. “How many have to speak to funeral homes and hear the word ‘homicide’ from a medical examiner?” Lee was one of two young men fatally shot that day.
The other victim was 18-year-old Colby Smith. Pastor Cosey acknowledged the grief of Smith’s family, especially his mother, pointing out the added heartbreak of losing someone so young who had only just graduated high school. “My son was 27, but her son was just starting his life,” she said. “I can’t even imagine the pain of planning a funeral for a child who hasn’t even had the chance to truly live.”
Though the Cosey family now lives out of state, they once called Charlotte home. Despite the distance, they are calling on the Charlotte community to take meaningful action to address and reduce gun violence. Lee’s father, Pastor Nicholas Cosey, emphasized their determination to ensure their son’s death is not in vain. “We are speaking out at every level — local, state, and national,” he said. “We are advocating for a stop to this violence. People need to act within their areas of influence. This is no longer a time to remain silent.”
The family’s grief has turned into a call to action, urging community members and leaders alike to confront the growing problem of violence in their neighborhoods. They are hoping that through awareness, advocacy, and change, other families might be spared from suffering similar losses.
In honor of Gabriel’s life, the family is organizing a memorial service to be held this coming Saturday. The event will serve as an opportunity for loved ones and supporters to come together to remember and celebrate his life while also standing united against senseless violence.
To help support funeral costs, the family has also created a GoFundMe page, where those who wish to contribute can donate. The fundraiser is a way for the community to offer support during this difficult time and to honor the memory of a young man whose life was taken too soon.
As the investigation into the Uptown shooting continues, Gabriel Lee’s family remains committed to turning their grief into a message of hope and change — urging everyone to come together and say enough is enough to the violence plaguing their communities.
