The family of a slain indoor football star from Mount Vernon is demanding justice in an exclusive interview with News 12.

Lance McDowdell, 25, was gunned down outside a Phoenix, Arizona, apartment building just five days before Christmas. One month later, his mother and three younger siblings are still waiting for answers. They recently sat down with News 12's Tara Rosenblum, who shared their story for the first time.

His family say they will never have closure until they find out what happened to him.

The grief-stricken family of McDowdell, who was known by the nickname Manny, shared precious memories of the Mount Vernon football star turned Indoor Football League player for the Arizona Rattlers.

The family says they were “totally shocked” by the slaying.

“He never indicated anything about him having a beef or any sort of argument with anyone down there,” says the victim’s sister.

Richard Portale, the family’s attorney and a close friend, says they are looking forward to the day when the family can know for certain what happened.

Phoenix police are not releasing any information on the case or whether they have identified a suspect.