Joshau Allen's family speaks out after murder in Dunham Park

SIOUX FALLS, SD (Dakota News Now) – Joshau Allen lost his life less than a month after a shooting broke out in Dunham Park in Sioux Falls. Now his family has decided to speak out about it.

In an emotional interview on Monday, his mother and brother tell us about the man he was and demand justice.

“It still feels like yesterday. Especially for his family,” said Joseph Allen.

“What gives you the right to take my son’s life?” said Paris McAbee.

Since his death, Joshau's twin brother Joseph Allen has been battling a rollercoaster of emotions.

“I saw my brother seconds before he died. A friend of mine called me on Facetime and said, 'Your brother got shot.' That vision keeps going through my head sometimes,” Joseph said.

Joshau's mother, Paris McAbee, remembers talking to Josh that day and the moment she heard he had been murdered.

“The next call came from someone who was in the park. He told me my baby was there dead. I immediately called the police,” McAbee said.

Joshau has 11 brothers and sisters. He was the eldest, moving from Chicago to Sioux Falls when they were children.

“He was the glue, he was the big brother. He did everything for his family. He was like a father to us brothers. We moved here when he was 16,” Joseph said.

Joshau was not only a brother and son, but also a father of eight children.

“He left us a great responsibility and a great memory of him,” Joseph said.

It seems impossible to move on from the tragedy of Josh's death. Joseph tries to carry on with the music Josh made.

“I can hear his voice every morning if I want. I just play his music, but it will never be the same. They say time heals all wounds, but I don't think time will ever be enough,” Joseph said.

His mother can't hear his music yet. She remembers him through a promise she made to him five years ago when she moved away from Sioux Falls. That she would continue to work hard and go to church.

“Since my baby died, I haven't been to church in the town I live in. That's not fair because that's something I used to do every Sunday. I just want justice for my baby,” McAbee said.

They know that justice will only come when people start talking about the events of that day.

“For the sake of his children, his family, my mother and my father, if there are people out there who know what happened to my brother, it would be nice if they could mourn in peace,” Joseph said.

“You guys played both sides the whole time, so just tell the truth. You were screaming, 'Long live Money. Long live Joshau!'” McAbee said.

If you have any information about the events leading up to Joshau Allen's death, the family asks you to contact police.

The Crimestoppers number is (605)367-7007.

Copyright 2024 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.