Mother of slain son wants answers

The mother of an 18-year-old man shot to death near Miller Park over the weekend doesn't want revenge. She only wants answers.

Shanetra Watts said Sunday evening that she's doing her best to cope but wants to know why her son was found with a fatal gunshot wound at 28th and Kansas Avenues around 3 a.m. Saturday.

Marcus M. Watts died at the scene. He was the father of three children.

"Even a little information can help," Watts said. "All I want is answers. All I want to know is why my baby got what he got."

A friend said Watts had attended a party earlier Saturday at 16th and Spencer Streets. A 16-year-old boy was shot at that location about 1 a.m. and suffered life-threatening injuries. A spokesman for Nebraska Medical Center said Sunday that the boy's condition was not being released.

Omaha Police spokesman Officer Jacob Bettin said police are still investigating whether that shooting and Watts' death are connected. No arrests have been made.

Watts called his uncle shortly before he was shot and the uncle put the call on speakerphone so other family members could hear, his mother said. He was less than a mile from home.

Watts said he'd run out of gas and needed a ride, his mother said. He was talking normally and didn't sound threatened. Then, the family heard gunshots and sirens.

Shanetra Watts said investigators haven't given her much new information about the case.

"I'm praying to the Lord and putting it in his hands because he's the only one who can help me," she said. "All I want is the truth. ... I want justice."

Police ask anyone with information on Watts' killing to call the Homicide Unit at 444-5656 or Crime Stoppers at 444-STOP (7867). Tips also may be texted to OPD at CRIMES (274637) or submitted online at www.omahacrimestoppers.net.