Fundraiser Started For Family Of Meriden Homicide Victim

MERIDEN, CT — A fundraiser has been started for the 20-year-old victim of a Meriden shooting. The GoFundMe page was started by Rhea Highsmith.

"I have created this GO Fund Me on behalf of Aisha Barnes & James Cruz, as their son was my nephew-son's best friend," Highsmith wrote.

Jyineez Cruz was fatally shot in the early morning hours Sunday after "having an argument with someone and walking away from the situation," Highsmith wrote.

"He recently enrolled at Porter & Chester Institute to study automotive," Highsmith wrote. "He just got a car to be able to attend and succeed in school.

"We know that life is never promised and death is never planned. Due to the pandemic this will be a complete financial burden/hardship on the family. His parents have 3 additional children in the home to care for and during this pandemic lifelong jobs have been lost. Needless to say their life insurance policies have lapsed when forced with making a decision to have to choose between insurance and day to day living."

The fundraiser had generated more than $1,500 of a $10,000 goal. To donate, go to the GoFundMe page.