BOSTON, Jan. 29, 2014—Shawn Flores’ mother embraced the father of the man who killed her son at an emotionally-charged sentencing hearing in Suffolk Superior Court today, District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

Flores, 29, was shot dead on Sept. 22, 2011, by KENDRICK CLARK (D.O.B. 3/19/74) on the porch of their Dorchester rooming house. No one saw the shooting, but Flores identified his killer in a dying declaration to residents who came running and relayed his last words to Boston Police homicide detectives. After a week-long trial, jurors convicted Clark of second-degree murder yesterday.

Before sentencing him to the mandatory term of life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 15 years, Judge Patrick Brady heard a victim impact statement from Flores’ mother, who recalled “a respectful, generous, funny, and caring young man” who made friends wherever he went and coached youth basketball.

“Shawn would play basketball all over Boston,” she told the court. “Being that he was not gang-affiliated in any way, he would and could play ball in Orchard Park, Washington Park, Northampton, Harbor Point, anywhere …. The day I buried my Shawn, I held his service at Morning Star Baptist Church. The church holds 1500 people. There was standing room only. [Bishop John M. Borders, III] made a statement during the service that he had never seen so many people from so many walks of life come together in such a peaceful way.”

After thanking the Boston Police detectives and Suffolk prosecutors and victim advocates who investigated and tried the case, Flores’ mother also acknowledged Clark’s parents, whom she met during the trial and whom she called “wonderful people.”

“It is so sad we had to become acquainted through these circumstances,” she said. “We all suffer in this situation. Out of respect for them, I will not lash out at Kendrick. He has to live with himself.”

“Even in the depth of her grief, Shawn’s mother found the grace to make peace with the Clark family,” Conley said. “Her dignity and empathy speak volumes about the kind of person she is and the kind of son she raised.”

Flores left a son, now being raised by Flores’ mother. At the conclusion of today’s hearing, that young boy met with the presiding judge while Flores’ mother and family shared a moment with Clark’s parents. They embraced and wept together.

“She’s a truly inspirational woman,” Conley said. “We need more people like her, and fewer tragedies like the one she and her family suffered.”

Assistant District Attorney David Fredette prosecuted the case. Kara Hayes was the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate. Clark was represented by attorney Michael Bourbeau.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.