SPOKANE, Wash. – 12-year-old Nahziyien Gordon died on Wednesday in the Spokane River. NonStop Local spoke with his family, and they are in disbelief that this could’ve even happened in the first place.
“He was supposed to have more time with us, we were supposed to have more time with him,” said Makia Bryant-Muellner.
Bryant-Muellner is Gordon’s cousin, but she said she treated him like her own son. She added that this should never have happened: “He had to suffer, and that’s not fair.”
Spokane police are investigating, but Gordon’s cousin still had questions about what happened Wednesday night. She said Gordon couldn’t swim; “he’s said it multiple times that he hated the water.”
Hassiah Brady went to school with Gordon. He called him a “good man in all sorts of ways.” He knew Gordon as Jo and said the school was not the same without him. ” It’s been pretty traumatizing for everyone. Everyone missed him.”
Brady added that Gordon’s family is always on his mind: “I’m praying for them every day.”
Bryant-Muellner said they appreciate all the support, but she said her cousin’s death feels like a nightmare they will never wake up from, “that’s something that we and her have to deal with for the rest of our lives.”
A candlelight memorial will be held at Riverfront Park on Saturday, May 11.
