Florida high school footballer, 15, shot dead while attending grandfather's funeral, family devastated
A 15-year-old Florida high school football player was gunned down at his grandfather’s funeral after he skipped a team-sponsored college tour to mourn the loss.
At about 2.30 pm on Saturday, Deerfield High School sophomore Terrance Jackson was among two people who were killed across the street from Victory City Church in Riviera Beach, the Sun-Sentinel reports.
According to a tweet by law enforcement, the shooting was "not a random act of violence.”
The shooting also claimed the life of 47-year-old Royce Freeman, whom paramedics declared dead at the scene. Also, a woman who sustained gunshot wounds was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
“While the motive for the shooting is still being investigated, it is believed it was a result of a dispute between relatives of the deceased whose funeral had been held,” Riviera Beach Police wrote.
Jevon Glenn, the team's coach, told the outlet the defensive end had passed on a trip to visit colleges with 20 teammates so he could attend the funeral. According to him, Jackson was a promising player who had a bright future ahead of him. “He was waiting in the wings,” the coach said of Jackson. “This year was going to be his year.”
“Why God!” the team wrote on Twitter.
In a videotaped statement on Facebook, Victory City Church pastor Tywuante Lupoe said the church had been aware of the potential for violence as the family was involved in a dispute.
But the shooting took place despite several security guards and police being posted at the funeral service. According to the pastor, the attacker(s) waited for the majority of mourners to leave before sparking a fight that broke out across the street.
Lupoe chastised law enforcement late on Saturday night. “Riviera Beach Police need to take responsibility too,” he wrote on Facebook. “As a church who serves the community, we called and asked for their assistance before this tragedy took place. We informed them of the potential violence. Our tax dollars should ensure we get what we need in order for our citizens and families can be protected. If we request you be there....”
The Jacksons have set up a GoFundMe page to cover funeral and other expenses.