Candlelight vigil held for homeless man beaten to death

MAYFAIR (WTXF) - The community gathered on Wednesday to remember a man brutally beaten to death. According to police, the man, who was homeless, was beaten by a group of teens. He was remembered as a kind, gentle soul.

READ MORE: Police: Teens beat homeless man to death

"Kevin was a son, a brother, an uncle, a cousin, a nephew and a friend."

Tom Cullen choked back tears as he remembered his brother Kevin.

Police say the 57-year-old homeless man was brutally beaten around 6 p.m. Sunday night by teenagers. He died the next day. Just a few nights after the vicious murder, a vigil was held right at the spot on the 4200 block of Loring Street in Mayfair where he was killed.

"Even if that wasn't my brother I'd be sick to my stomach and outraged at what had happened," Tom said.

Kevin was one of six children refusing to leave his beloved Mayfair where he was born and raised. His family expressed heartache over their loss and thanked those in the neighborhood who tried to help Kevin as he lay unconscious on the sidewalk.

"Especially, the woman Donna who sat with him when he was dying. Glad someboy was there to show him compassion when he was dying," Tom said.

Milt Martelack often helped out Kevin and says he just gave him a haircut last week.

"I'd seen him Saturday night, last time I saw him. I brought him and Dave, another homeless guy something to eat, hello and said guys be careful."

Police say a group of five teens are behind the brutal attack and robbery is the apparent motive. They say they've identified one teen who left his cell phone behind but so far no charges.

"To hear they were laughing and thought it was a joke. It's just disgusting," Cullen said.

Neighbors, some who knew Kevin Cullen, and some who did not are collecting money for a reward. The victim will be laid to rest on Saturday as police continue to work to find his killers.