BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. — A community came together Saturday afternoon to remember the Boynton Beach teenager who died after crashing his dirt bike during an attempted traffic stop last Sunday.
Hundreds of people from all over South Florida gathered at the Chevron gas station at the intersection of Boynton Beach Boulevard and North Federal Highway for the Ride In Peace event to show support for Stanley Davis Jr.'s family.
Many held signs calling justice for Davis and police accountability.
Many participants rode their motorcycles, dirt bikes, bicycles and Slingshots down North Federal Highway toward the crash site where balloons and candles are placed to remember the 13-year-old.
"I know one thing. God is the judge," said one attendee. "He was a very good kid and came from a great family. His mother and father loved him deeply. I feel like there needs to be justice if there was some foul play."
"What happened to him, unfortunately, there has to be justice," said Troy Lewis. "We're trying to get a motocross park built for these kids, something to do for these kids."
Boynton Beach police have said that their preliminary investigation indicated the teen was riding recklessly on Boynton Beach Boulevard and officers were attempting to make a traffic stop.
Police said at the crash site, their patrol unit didn't impact the dirt bike.
Ultimately, how the crash happened is being investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol and the police officer involved is on administrative leave.
"It is clear as day that the young man was targeted," said Alisa Wright. "Thirteen years old, honor roll student, just simply trying to get home. It is not fair."
"For him to pursue this young man is outright injustice and we're going to bite down and we're going to stand up until we get accountability," said Bryce Graham, second vice president of the National Action Network Central Florida chapter.
During the ride, everyone stopped at the crash site where it is now filled with balloons and candles. Davis' parents are showing strength in the midst of this tragedy.
"It's hard losing a child, especially that's my only child," said Davis' mother, Shannon Thompson. "They took away my world. They stole my world from me. No parent wants to bury their child, so it's hard."
