BROOKLAWN FAMILY LAMENTS DEATH OF SON

With a soft voice and loving smile, Vicki Zemek recalled fond memories
of her son, James, when he was a child.

"He was a handful, but he was a happy, happy kid," Zemek
said.

Seventeen-year-old James knew Spanish so well many people thought he
was a native speaker, Zemek added. James easily befriended many
Spanish-speaking people and effortlessly cultivated friendships with
people from all racial backgrounds, Zemek said.

"Race means nothing to him. That's how we raised him," Zemek said.
"And we welcomed any friend he brought through here with open arms."

After James started using marijuana about a year ago, Zemek and her
husband vowed to stop at nothing to help their son quit.

But on Wednesday, James was fatally shot near Broadway and Emerald
Street in South Camden, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's
Office. So far, no arrests have been made and the investigation continues.

This year, 12 homicides have been reported in Camden, said Bill
Shralow, a spokesman for the Camden County Prosecutor's Office. Of
those, 11 have been murders, Shralow said. Ten of the murders have
been shooting-related deaths.

Zemek said her son's death highlights the dangers of drugs and the
shortcomings of the state's drug treatment facilities.

"We tried to get the help for him and nobody would help us," she said.
"Nobody would take him."

Zemek and her husband hoped a Secaucus-based residential treatment
facility would aid in their son's recovery so they signed him up in
March. But James stayed for only two days.

"They needed better security and food. He couldn't even have a radio,"
Zemek said. "If they had a better program, he would've been better. He
would be alive today."

The day before he died, James saved the life of a turtle that was
crossing a busy street, Zemek said. The act, she added, is proof of
James' kind and gentle spirit.

"If he met you in the street, he would be nice to you," Zemek said.
"He had a heart."