Classmates, Family Remember Slain Teen at Funeral

The cap and gown that would have been worn by Jennifer Mejia at her graduation from Bellport High School Thursday was instead placed on top of her casket at her funeral Mass Friday.

Mejia, 17, of East Patchogue, was one of four gunned down on Father’s Day during the robbery of the Haven Drugs store in Medford.

in Patchogue was packed Friday morning for her funeral, at which approximately 40 of her classmates came dressed in their own caps and gowns.

Some of her classmates’ caps were decorated in memory of Jennifer with messages such as “I love you Jennifer.”

The mass was conducted in English and Spanish, with verses and prayers alternating between the two.

During the ceremony, a letter written by Msgr. Gregorio Rosa Chávez, auxiliary bishop of San Salvador, and a group of missionaries who met Mejia when she traveled to San Salvador for missionary work.

“Jennifer had a golden heart filled with beautiful ideals,” said the missionaries in their letter.

Mejia’s sister, Leslie, thanked everyone at the ceremony who cared about her sister.

The ceremony concluded with the graduates surrounding Mejia’s casket, and two of the students said a few brief words about her.

“Jennifer was truly a walking angel on Earth,” said Taylor Lee, who on Wednesday left a with a message for her friend at the Haven Drugs store before attending prom.

After the service, Mejia’s casket was taken to Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Coram to be buried. 

, 33, and his wife, , 29, were in connection with the murders on Wednesday from their home in Medford. Police believe that Brady Laffer to Haven Drugs store, where police say Laffer shot the four before taking painkillers from the store.

Both not guilty in a Central Islip court to charges that include murder in the first degree for Laffer, and obstructing governmental administration for Brady.