Staten Island witnessed a poignant moment on Thursday as around 200 mourners assembled at the International Christian Center to remember and bid farewell to Syles Ular, a 13-year-old who met an untimely end in a tragic incident aboard a city bus earlier this month.
Syles' life was tragically cut short when a fellow teenager allegedly stabbed him during a dispute. However, amidst the grief and anguish, an unexpected sentiment emerged from the heart of the bereaved mother, Nakeia Emory.
She conveyed a message of forgiveness to her son's perpetrator. Pastor David Beidel recounted her words, "Tell that boy that I love him and I forgive him."
Emory's magnanimity was a beacon of light in such grim circumstances, and Pastor Beidel expressed his astonishment at her benevolence, emphasizing how she mourned the potential loss of two young lives.
The Tragic Incident: A Dispute Turns Deadly on a City Bus
Described as a "remarkable young soul" with an "adventurous spirit" by family friend Gretchen Jefferson, Syles was a student at Elias Bernstein IS 7. The altercation that led to his untimely death occurred on the afternoon of October 6 on the S78 bus at Hyland Boulevard and Littlefield Avenue, Eltingville.
After being stabbed multiple times in the chest, a mortally injured Syles approached the bus driver before succumbing to his injuries. The young assailant made an attempt to escape but was apprehended nearby, thanks to the quick actions of an off-duty police officer.
Faith Green, Syles' cousin, reminisced about the day of the incident, stating her disbelief and anguish at the suddenness and reality of the loss.
"He was so young," she lamented. The funeral was a solemn affair, with Syles' body resting peacefully in an open casket, adorned with a small bouquet of red roses. The floral arrangements and the sunrays that illuminated them created a serene yet somber atmosphere.
Tyrole Watkins, Syles' cousin, spoke of his gentle nature, reiterating that he was a "good, nonviolent kid."
Remembering the Youthful Spirit: Syles' Passion for Basketball and Animals
Vincent Capers, Syles' uncle, voiced a contrasting sentiment from Emory's, expressing a lack of forgiveness towards the teenager responsible for the tragic end of his nephew. The young assailant, whose identity has been kept private due to his minor status, has been charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, and possession of weapons.
A recent revelation by The Post added another layer of distress to the narrative. An FDNY ambulance, overwhelmed with calls, failed to reach Syles in time, with the police having to rush him to the hospital, where he was subsequently declared deceased.
In the midst of the grieving, Syles was celebrated for his love for basketball and animals, as well as his insatiable curiosity. His obituary highlighted his zest for life, mentioning how he "embraced every opportunity to make the most of his time here."
As Archbishop Eric Figueroa addressed the mourners, he urged them to use Syles' tragic demise as a "teachable moment" and to resist the pull of vengeance. Stressing the individuality of grief, he said, "Vengeance only further compounds the burden associated with grief."
