Statement from Edward Satterstrom's family

Statement from Edward Satterstrom's family
By Rachel Uranga on August 6, 2008 11:42 AM

Edward Satterstrom was the 16-year-old boy who was shot to death Saturday night in Sun Valley in an apparent random shooting by a gang member. Police are still looking for the suspect, David Aranda Hernandez, 18. Here's a statement from Edward's family:

Our family is truly shocked and saddened by the shooting death of 16-year-old
Edward Satterstrom on Saturday night in North Hollywood. Eddie, as he is affectionately known by those who knew him, was a genuinely good-hearted young man who was loved and adored by everyone.

Eddie was the oldest of seven children and is survived also by his single mom. He was a very loving son, brother and friend to everyone he came into contact with. His sudden,
unnecessary death has been devastating to our family and we heavily grieve his loss. Eddie adored his brothers and sisters and the support and attention he provided to them will truly be missed.

Eddie was looking forward to his first year of varsity football at Francis Polytechnic High School this fall. He told everyone how excited he was to become part of the team and how he looked forward to his first game of the season in just a few short weeks.
When he wasn't at school, Eddie spent a considerable amount of time caring for
his grandmother - who suffers from an acute stage of Parkinson's disease.

It is shocking to realize how many parents and families are touched by the tragic loss of a loved one many years before they are expected to leave us. Even fewer can understand the hollow, wrenching, and enduring agony parents silently suffer when a child
predeceases them - especially in the case of Eddie's mother. Although Eddie has
left this earth, his beautiful spirit and enduring memory will remain forever in our hearts. We are a very large and close-knit family and we're doing our best to stay strong.

The family continues to mourn Eddie's loss with family and friends at a
remote location from Eddie's home, in respect of his grandmother. We hope
that the media will respect the family's wishes and not contact or visit the family home for this reason. Additional family statements will be made on an ongoing basis, when appropriate.

We treasure and celebrate the beautiful life of our Eddie and are
humbled by the incredible outpouring of support from friends and family across the
country. These contributions have deeply and profoundly touched our hearts and lives and for them we are eternally grateful.

A fund to assist with funeral and legal costs related to Eddie's death has
been established. Donations may be made to the following:

Bank of America
c/o Edward Satterstrom

Details for further fundraising efforts, including a community car wash, will
be announced within the week.

We truly hope that members of the local community will continue to come
forward and provide any further information possible on the details of Eddie's
death to local law enforcement, so that our family can come to peace with the
reasons behind this tragic and heartbreaking incident.

If you have any information on this horrible tragedy, we hope you will
please contact the Los Angeles Police Department's North Hollywood homicide
detectives at 818-623-4075.

http://www.insidesocal.com/crime/2008/08/statement-from-edward-satterst.html