Dozens of people gathered to remember a Waterbury teenager who drowned in a reservoir after running from police in Waterbury.
Dozens of people gathered to remember a Waterbury teen who drowned in a reservoir Tuesday night after running from police.
Family members of the teen, along with friends and classmates, gathered at North End Recreation Center Wednesday night for a vigil.
State police identified the teen as 17-year-old Benjamin Payton, of Waterbury.
Candles were lit and balloons were released for the teen, who was known as Benny Jr. by family, who says they want to have peace and for Benny Jr. to be remembered for playing basketball in the area.
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A spokesperson for Waterbury Public Schools said Payton was a student at Crosby High School. A crisis team has been mobilized to support high school students and staff as they grieve, the school district said.
His older sister had a message to the community about him.
“You know you get caught in situations, in bad situations. You don’t know who your friends are and who’s not and that's for all the kids. … Watch who your friends is, watch who you be around because you never know who’s against you," Natiesha said.
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Waterbury Police said Payton and three other teens were found in a stolen vehicle Tuesday, with two of them running toward Lakewood Lake.
Officers said one of the teens got out of the water, but Payton went underwater.
A dive team recovered his body and he was pronounced dead at the hospital. Connecticut State Police are investigating the teen's death.
