CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - Seven weeks after the July 4 shooting death of seven-year-old Brandon Mackey and Chesterfield Police said its canvassing of the Brandermill community and outlying areas is now over.
The person who fired a gun into the air prior to the fireworks show at Sunday Park has not yet been identified, still police insist the search for the person who fired the bullet that killed Mackey is still very much alive.
Despite the lack of leads, some people in Brandermill are asking the Mackey family to keep their faith that someone will come forward.
"It's almost like we are conditioned now to go into hiding," said Chuck Clements a member of Brandermill Church.
There have been several pleas to the public for whoever shot celebratory gunfire in the air near Sunday Park on July 4 to come forward. The pleas seem to have fallen on deaf ears.
"I would hope whoever discharged this weapon in the air, whether they believe it was their shot or not, that they'd come forward for the sake of this family,” associate pastor Ed Kross said.
The Mackey family has very much been on the minds of worshipers at the Brandermill Church. The Mackeys are not members, but the church, which is just up the hill from where Brendon was shot opened its doors to them from Day One.
Church leadership said even though the door-to-door search wasn't fruitful for law enforcement, they wanted the Mackeys to keep the faith that the person who fired the shot will eventually have to answer to someone.
“We always want things to happen now, but it may not be that way,” Clements said. “God will work on whoever shot that gun and at some point they will have to ask to be forgiven. They will have to step forward and make amends with this family."
Mackey's father Bryan said he was particularly discouraged that no one has come forward to claim responsibility.
Since the July 4 shooting, police have knocked on countless doors, scouring a mile to a mile-and-a-half radius around Sunday Park. Federal agents and Chesterfield Police have been searching for a .40 caliber weapon that fired the fatal bullet and its owner.
