'Don't let my son die in vain,' mom of Toronto teen pleads

The mother of a 15-year-old Toronto boygunned down inside his school issueda tearfulplea Wednesday that his death be a catalyst for change.

"I'm just asking for all of your support. Please don't let my son die in vain," Laureen Small begged members of the media gathered Wednesday morning,exactly one week after Jordan Manners died.

The Grade 9 student was shotinthe cheston May 23 inside the north-end high school, C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute, and died later in hospital. Two teens have been charged with first-degree murder.

The family iscalling for a coroner's inquest and a revival of the short-lived position of Ontario youth commissioner. The only person to hold thejob was Ken Dryden, who served a two-year appointment starting in 1984.

They also urged the media to not only shine a spotlight on the deeper issues causing gun violence, but also become involved in efforts to curb it.

'Jordan was my life'

For much of the media conference, Small sat silently beside the family's lawyer, a friend wiping away her tears with a tissue from time to time.

The event was held at Christian Centre Church, where her son's funeral will be held Thursday.

Small said the loss of her son, one of five children, has been overwhelming.

"Tomorrow, maybe they'll have to bury me, too. I gotta be honest. That's what I'm feeling.

"Jordan was my life," said his mother. "He was on his way to being somebody."

The family stressed that they didn't want to lay blame, but instead raise awareness that such a senseless death could happen to anyone, not just in a black community. They hope his death will mobilize the public and governments to take steps to prevent such violence from continuing.

"Right now, I'm mad. I'm mad because this can't go on anymore," said the boy's uncle, Greg Stokes. "If we close our eyes and turn our backs, it will happen again. And we're responsible."

Shooting just 'tip of the iceberg'

The family's lawyer, Courtney Betty, said he has met with senior members of theOntario government and is optimistic the province will respond positively to their requests for swift action.

But the Manners family wants more than just Jordan's death probed.It wants the issue of gun control and violence among youth examined.

"This shooting is really just the tip of the iceberg," saidBetty, pointing to the high-profile death of 15-year-old Jane Creba, who was shot on a busy downtown street on Dec. 26, 2005.

A member of theCanadian Centre for Abuse Awareness was also at the news conference to throw the group's support behind the family.

"It's no secret. We have young men who pack real handguns and the end result is horrific," said John Muise, a director with the national group that focuses on child abuse and adult victimization.

Stokes has createdan online petitionon Facebook on a group page titled Soldiers of Change (In memory of Jordan Manners). As of Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET, more than 1,600 users had joined.