Carlton Shaw spent his short life trying to ensure that his girlfriend and their two children would always have food on the table, and a comfortable place to call home. Now, a week after Shaw, 38, was murdered in his East Patchogue backyard, friends and co-workers are raising money to make sure his family is taken care of. John Harvard's Brew House in Lake Grove, one of Shaw's three places of employment, is creating a beer in his name.
David DeTurris, the head brewer, said he's created a stout beer with a roasty, malty flavor. He's calling it the "Natural Mystic," after Shaw's favorite Bob Marley song. A portion of the profits will go to his family.
At TGI Friday's in Farmingville and Chili's Grill and Bar in South Setauket, where Shaw worked as a line cook, workers are donating their tips and organizing a fundraiser. Friday's fundraiser, which will include a raffle, will take place on May 23 from 6 to 10 p.m.
Chili's is still in the works. "It's really driving me really hard to make sure that Carlton's family doesn't lose their house," said John Scileppi, a manager at Chili's. "I want something good to come out of something negative," he said.
Neighbors and friends have founded the Carlton Shaw Memorial Fund. Anyone interested can go to any Bank of America and make a cash or check deposit in the fund's name. Shaw was killed by Terraine Slide, 16, of Medford, who was charged as an adult, Suffolk County police said.
A 15-year-old was also charged this weekend with burglary. He is not being named because it was unclear Monday whether he was charged as an adult. Police said they and three other teens burglarized Shaw's home as he was making repairs in a bathroom.
As the teens left his property, Shaw came out of the home -- either to cut more tiles or speak with the suspects. Slide then allegedly shot him in the chest. Only 3-year-old Carlton Shaw Jr.
was home at the time. He came across his father's body and fell sleep atop him until a neighbor found them. Griselda Amaya, Shaw's live-in girlfriend, said the outpouring of support has provided some solace, though she still has a difficult journey ahead.
Because she is not legally considered a next of kin, she has not been able to secure the release of his body. A family friend is working with Shaw's mother in England to do so. That friend, Victor Biggs, has also pledged to finish the bathroom Shaw was remodeling when he was killed.
Nearly all of the white and beige tiles had been carefully placed. Only one wall was left unfinished. "I pray to God that he bless these people who are with me in this very difficult time," Amaya said from her home, where a vase with the roses Shaw had given her for Valentine's Day were still there.
She said she plans to travel to Jamaica, Shaw's native country, with the children for his burial. It will be the first time he returns, since leaving to work in the United States 11 years ago.
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