The family of the 11-year-old boy pulled lifeless from the Hudson River on Saturday refuses to believe reports that he was pushed into the water by his neighborhood friend.
The body of Alfa Barrie, a student at Democracy Prep charter school in Harlem, was discovered Saturday morning floating in the Hudson River.
He and his buddy, Garrett Warren, 13, were last seen at a fish shop on E. 145th and Lenox Ave. on the afternoon of May 12 before they went missing.
It’s believed that the boys slipped through a hole in the fence by the 145th St. Bridge the same day.
Garrett’s drowned body was discovered Thursday in the Harlem River by the Madison Ave. Bridge.
Questions still remain on how the two ended up in the water, but the family of Alfa refuses to believe that Garrett pushed him, as outlets including Pix11 have reported.
“It’s insane. It’s ridiculous. This is not confirmed with us,” Alfa’s sister Fatima said at a packed service at the Futa Islamic Center in Morrisania in the Bronx. “It’s been posted and our family is trying to mourn him. I can’t believe this.”
Alfa’s brother Ibrahim Diallo said that the family, who are currently trying to raise money for the boy’s funeral in the United States, trust in the authorities to get to the bottom of how he died.
“We are determined to get answers to our questions,” Diallo said. “How did he get there and how did he die? We would love to get those basic questions answered.”
Ahmadou Diallo, Alfa’s other brother, said that the Medical Examiner is still investigating.
“We’re waiting for the result of the autopsy. As soon as we get the body we will make funeral arrangements. The ME has not determined the cause,” he said.
The family also dispelled rumors that the boy will be flown to Guinea for his burial.
“The body will be buried here in the United States,” Ibrahim Diallo said. “His father is in Africa. It’s his hope and dream to come here to see his son buried.”
