Youngstown’s 1st homicide victim remembered at East Side vigil

March 26, 2017 at 12:05a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Breanna Bridges broke into brief laughter when she recalled a family vacation to Rochester, N.Y., in which she and her brother, Christopher E. Bridges, were engaged in a festive water-balloon and water-gun fight.

Before she knew it, several neighbors had joined in.

“I smashed a huge water balloon on him, then he told my dad, and I got into so much trouble. Then he and a bunch of the neighbors shot me with a water gun,” the Buffalo, N.Y., woman recalled.

That humorous incident when Bridges and her brother were children also represents one of the ways she wants people to remember her late brother, who was found shot to death in late January in a Republic Avenue home on the East Side. His death was the city’s first homicide of 2017.

Police were called to the home about 9:30 a.m. Jan. 25 by a friend of Bridges’ who came to the house and found him dead. Shortly after, officers called detectives, who in turn called the coroner’s office. Police continue their investigation, but have no suspects.

Bridges had a minor misdemeanor disorderly-conduct conviction in August. He was arrested Jan. 3 on misdemeanor charges of failure to control, no valid driver’s license and possession of drugs.

Despite those run-ins with the law and some people’s judgments of him, Breanna Bridges said her brother’s life was valuable, and no one had the right to take it, she angrily told about 50 friends, family members and others who came to a vigil Saturday at the Republic Avenue home to remember and honor Bridges, 22.

“We will not give up seeking justice for my brother,” said Breanna, who works as a technician for medical labs.

Christopher Bridges, who attended East High School before graduating in 2011 from East Irondequoit High School in Irondequoit, N.Y., had a dark sense of humor, was an adept handyman who often performed electrical and plumbing work, and a talented baseball player who had a shot at making it to the major leagues. He also was a forester with Vic’s Tree & Stump Removal, his sister continued.

“He was the most loyal person I ever met in my life,” said close friend Dom Gore, who met Bridges when they attended E.J. Blott Elementary School in Liberty before they played baseball together.

Gore also recalled a humorous situation during his 10th birthday party that included water balloons, several of which Bridges playfully tossed at him as he jumped on a trampoline. At one point, a balloon landed under Gore’s foot, causing him to flip off the trampoline, which led to plenty of laughter afterward, he remembered.

Bridges also had a strong faith in God and was kind-hearted and “an easy spirit” who wouldn’t hesitate to help anyone in need, said his mother, Teresa Bridges.

For about eight years, beginning at age 4, Bridges sang in the Sunbeam Jubilee Choir at Phillips Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, where he was a member, his mother said, adding that her son’s signature song was “My Faith Looks Up to Thee.”

“He always had a good heart,” said his stepfather, Vernon Stone, who urged anyone with information about the homicide to come forward.

Bridges was a hard worker who also worked off and on for Stone’s brother’s landscaping business. After his brother retired, he was planning to give his business to Bridges, Stone said.

“We need to find justice for Chris and closure for his family and friends,” he added.

Anyone with information concerning the homicide is asked to call the Youngstown Police Department at 330-742-8900.