Jay Donaldson believes his son, a popular, smiling teen who reached out to befriend younger people, had unfinished business. So, he intends to finish it for him.

Mr. Donaldson's son, Jehru, of Fineview, was an 18-year-old Oliver High School graduate who was heading to Edinboro University this fall.

He was shot in the head on July 8 while in his father's Oldsmobile in the 1700 block of Brighton Place in the North Side. He died the next day. He was there to take his girlfriend's nephews to a Pirates game.

Almost immediately, Mr. Donaldson, 54, called for a rally to honor his son's memory and draw attention to the violence that plagues the inner city.

He has been adamant that the celebration take place in the block where his son lost his life.

Yesterday morning, Mr. Donaldson met with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and representatives of the mayor's Safe Neighborhoods initiative. The mayor and his staff assisted Mr. Donaldson's request for a permit to hold the community celebration.

"I met with the Donaldsons to extend my condolences," said Mr. Ravenstahl, "but most importantly to listen to them. I let them know that I am here to help. I am here to provide support wherever possible."

"We have to begin taking control," said Mr. Donaldson, a man who has not wilted under the grief of burying his son. "There is no better place to hold the celebration than where Jehru left off."

The celebration is scheduled for Sunday. It begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m., a day of plays, drumming, poetry and community awareness.

It also marks the launch of POYSE, or Protect Our Youth, Serve Elders, a neighborhood group formed by Mr. Donaldson to get young men off the streets.

Identical twins Jovon and Devon Knox, 17, of California-Kirkbride, were arrested on homicide charges in the death of Jehru. Last week, charges were dropped against Jovon after a witness identified Devon as the shooter.

Mr. Donaldson's plans and support from the mayor came amid more neighborhood violence not far from where his son was shot.

On Monday night, police say a 18-year-old man was gunned down with an assault weapon in the Mexican War Streets, and yesterday afternoon three men were shot near North Charles Street.

"The reason we're going back," said Mr. Donaldson, "is we have to take care of our children. My son was there to take children to a baseball game. Why should I stop? There is unfinished business."