UPDATE

HARRISBURG — Jasmine Fahie's phone rang early Saturday morning in Georgia and soon came the news that no parent could ever prepare for.

Reached by a loved one, Fahie learned that her son, Winston McCullough Jr., had been fatally shot.

Her 17-year-old boy — the one she always said was so sweet — was gone forever.

"I drove all day and I didn't get here until last night," Fahie said Sunday afternoon of her long, grief-stricken journey north to the city. "I wasn't able to say goodbye. I just want him to know that I'm here."

Fahie certainly wasn't the only one with that feeling Sunday afternoon. More than 30 others joined her for a vigil on Hummel Street outside the home where her son was killed around 2:30 a.m. Saturday.

Several people embraced Fahie for several moments as tears streamed down her face. Many in the group also joined together in prayer, remembering "a young star" taken too soon.

Myesha McCullough, 20, an older sister of Winston McCullough, also sang for the group, touching impressive high notes as everyone gathered in a circle.

Beforehand, she remembered her brother as a person who she said everyone loved. McCullough was especially adept at keeping things moving forward among his own people, his sister said.

"He was all about family. He never wanted us to argue," Myesha McCullough said. "He liked to keep the peace and have fun."

Fahie also confirmed an earlier report that her son was enrolled in a Job Corps center near Hazleton as he worked on his GED. She said he recently graduated from the program and planned to return to Harrisburg for three weeks before joining her in the Dublin, Ga. area, where she now lives.

Eventually, McCullough had plans to work in construction, his mother said.

"He was an amazing person," Fahie said of her son. "His life was too short."

Fahie also said Sunday afternoon she had yet to see her son's body. She was hopeful that would occur within the next 24 hours.

Police have arrested a suspect accused of shooting McCullough in the chest. Jabre Versace Creamer, 19, was charged Saturday with criminal homicide and tampering with evidence.

Police in an earlier news release alleged that Creamer confessed to shooting McCullough during an interview with investigators. He was denied bail and is now being held in Dauphin County Prison.

A motive for the shooting remained unclear as of Sunday night. Efforts made Sunday to reach city police for additional comment were not successful.

Court records show that Creamer was awaiting trial on charges from a separate arrest in August. He was charged with possession of drugs with intent to distribute and spent roughly three weeks in prison, court records show.

They also show his $35,000 bail was changed Oct. 6 to unsecured at his attorney's request, meaning he was freed from police custody on the promise to appear in court and not engage in further criminal activity.

His preliminary hearing on the charges related to the homicide is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 11.