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Modesto Teen Killed While Protecting Mom From Gunfire

MODESTO (CBS13) - A Modesto teenager died in his father's arms Thursday after being gunned down in front of their home. His mother says her son took a bullet intended for her.

It has been four days since 17-year-old Marty Kent was shot and killed on his front porch, but there are still no suspects. His mother, Robin, says he was trying to protect her when he died.

"He was growing up, he was just becoming who he was, and it was taken. This should not happen," said Robin.

Candles and flowers sit at Robin's front door where her son was shot in the chest and died.

"He died half in, half out in his dad's arms. We prayed and prayed 'God please help us' until the point it was 'God please take him.' "

Robin says just after dark on Wednesday, she heard yelling in front of her home. When she stepped outside to tell the group to take their argument somewhere else, she says a man holding a shotgun fired in her direction. That's when her son Marty sprung into action.

"They shot, he jumped in front of me, like to push me out of the way. He was in front of me; they shot him," said Robin.

The family says Marty was a straight-A student ready to graduate and get married soon.

"He doesn't run around with the drug addicts, the thugs or nothing like this," said Robin. "He's got a girlfriend that was his life."

Marty's family says they believe the suspects live nearby and may know why they came to their home that night. However, they refused to elaborate, only calling it a misunderstanding. Investigators are also staying tight-lipped, but say the shooting is not gang-related.

Despite the reason for the shooting, the family is pleading for justice.

"I just want people, if they know something, say something. Come forward, because he was brave and I don't want anyone to forget that," said Robin.

The family has held several fundraisers for Marty's funeral since his death. He'll be laid to rest on Wednesday.

Investigators say they're looking for a 1990s green Jeep.

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