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Murdered DNC staffer's family asks for public's help

The family of a young political staffer gunned down a block away from his home in Bloomingdale called out for the public's help Thursday when they were in town for a celebration of his life.

Credit: Rich family
Seth Conrad Rich

The family of a young political staffer gunned down a block away from his home in Bloomingdale called out for the public’s help Thursday when they were in town for a celebration of his life.

Seth Rich's murder gained national attention and broke the hearts of some of the most powerful figures at the DNC.

Now three weeks later, his murderer is still on the loose.

RELATED: DNC employee fatally shot in D.C.

Rich was on the phone with his girlfriend when he was attacked. She didn't speak during the family’s press conference, but she stood alongside his mother and tried to hold back tears.

"If they will kill my son for simply walking home, they will kill anybody and they will continue to kill and the next time they shoot and kill it will be someone you loved,” said Mary Rich, the victim’s mother. “And trust me. This is not much fun."

Rich was just 27 years old when he was shot and killed. His mother handed out flyers in Northwest D.C. with a picture of her son on them.

His friends believe his death was the result of an attempted robbery.

"Our son was very simply walking home, talking to his girlfriend and jumped," his mother said.

Neighbors said it seems possible, adding that there have been a lot of robberies recently. And police are still searching for answers.

"Every person that we know that's committing crimes in the area is being looked at," Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier said.

Rich grew up in Nebraska, worked for the DNC, and had friends all from over.

"He was one of the few people, it seems like, in our town that understands that just because somebody wears a different political party from you doesn't mean that they shouldn't be treated with respect and honor," his friend Melissa Ortiz said.

RELATED: Community honors Bloomingdale shooting victim

Now the street corner where he lost his life is marked with American flags.

"My son was shot in the back twice, and I ask you, please, if you know anything, heard anything, just come forward and talk to police," Rich’s mother said. "This is something our family will always live with. Our friends will always live with and I hope this doesn't go any further. So please help us"

Police are offering up to $25,000 for any information that solves this case. If you think you know something - no matter how small it may seem - police would like for you to give them a call.

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