Mother pleads for answers 12 years after son's shooting death in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN/KTVU) - SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A mother on Tuesday returned to the same corner where her teenage son was fatally gunned down 12 years ago in San Francisco's Western Addition, in a bid to help solve the killing.

"I'm here. This is the 12 year. I'm back again," Paulette Brown, the victim's mother said on Tuesday, the anniversary of her son's death. 

On Aug. 14, 2006, 17-year-old Aubrey Abrakasa Jr. was shot multiple times at the corner of Grove and Baker streets around 3:15 p.m.

The boy was taken to a hospital where he later died. Police at the time believed two men approached Abrakasa before shooting him and then fleeing. Police were never able to locate the suspects and the killing remains unsolved.

It's a sad, summer ritual Brown holds every year since his death. She prayed along with San Francisco police who joined her at the scene to remember her only son. 

"I was told a while back ago when this happened, it's gonna get easier, but it doesn't. I can deal with it. I'm functioning. I work. I do everything that I need to do, but this pain never, never ends," Brown said. 

Abrakasa was a student at Raul Wallenberg Traditional High School at the time of his death.

Police have since offered a $250,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the suspects.

Since his death, Brown has been advocating for her son, as well as for the families of other homicide 
victims, according to police.

"For someone to just take him out of this wold like that...no parent should have to go through this. No parent," Brown said. 

Brown and police officers handed out fliers at the intersection where her son's slaying occurred. 

"I know it's been 12 years. I know it's a cold case. But if we can solve one from the 70s and 80s, like the Golden State Killer, we can definitely solve this one. It's only 12 years old," SFPD Chief Toney Chaplin said. 

"I don't know. I think it's kind of sad that he's beengone for 12 full years and nothing has happened. That's just kind of ridiculous to me," said Serina Abrakasa, the victim's sister. 

Police are asking that anyone with information call the San Francisco police tip line at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 with "SFPD" at the beginning of the message. Tipsters can opt to remain anonymous.

KTVU reporter Henry K. Lee contributed to this report