Calling hours to be held Thursday for 12-year-old slain in Rochester

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Calling hours for Juan Lopez, the 12-year-boy who was shot and killed last month, happened Thursday inside Memories Funeral Chapel on Hudson Avenue.

Police say he and a 16-year-old boy were walking down Atkinson Street when they were shot. Juan died. The other boy survived.

Reverend Shirley Billups-Bell says Juan’s former social studies teacher had an infectious smile. She delivered Juan’s eulogy during calling hours.

She was his seventh-grade social studies teacher at Benjamin Franklin Education Campus. She says Juan was very smart, studied hard and passed every test with flying colors. Not only was he bright, but she also said he was a friend to everyone.

Bell broke down in tears while sharing that she only taught at Benjamin Franklin for a short time. She says now she knows why.

“I truly believe that’s why my short stay at Franklin was to meet Juan,” Bell said. “I believe that now, I needed to cross paths with Juan and his family. I needed to be an impact in his life, and I was offered the opportunity to eulogize my student.”

Police are still searching for his killer. Juan’s funeral service will be held Friday at noon.

Read more:

• ‘I truly believe that’s why God sent me’: Teacher reflects on life of 12-year-old shooting victim (Dec. 1)
• Pastors amp up outreach after murder of Rochester boy, 12 (Nov. 22)
• Family and friends hold vigil for 12-year-old shot and killed on Monday (Nov. 22)
• Rochester Police search for killer of ‘loving and kind’ Franklin student, 12 (Nov. 22)
• Mayor Evans and Primetime 585 founder speak after 12-year-old was killed (Nov. 21)
• City leaders demand that people come forward with information on double shooting that killed 12-year-old (Nov. 21)
• News10NBC Investigates: What is it like to be a child in the city right now? (Nov. 17)