MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Family members confirmed to FOX13 the victim from Saturdays fatal shooting in Frayser was 15-year-old Jacques Nelson.
The father, who had just finished making final arrangements for his son, understandably declined an interview on Wednesday. However, he did provide several photos of the son and said he appreciates continued prayers during this difficult time.
The Nelson’s nightmare started 5:40 on Saturday evening when the Memphis Police Department got a call to Breezy Point Apartments in Frayser for a shooting.
The victim was 15-year-old Jacques Nelson, a football player for Central High School in Memphis who had dreams of being a NFL star like his cousin Calvin Austin of the Pittsburg Steelers.
Tragically, his dreams were dashed and divided in the seconds the unknown shooter fired their gun.
Nelson isn’t the first young victim to succumb to gun violence on the Central High School football team either.
Last month, FOX13 reported Myles Rice was shot by a single bullet—paralyzing the sophomore.
On Wednesday, FOX13 interviewed Rice’s cousin Sgt. Craig Littles, who’s the CEO of Sheriff’s and Police Activities League (PAL) of Memphis & Shelby County—which is focused on connecting kids with police officers to coach and care for them throughout their time in the program.
“Myles was my cousin but I knew both of the boys well,” Littles said. “They were both PAL kids and it just hurts to know we’re losing them at such a rate.”
Littles then got emotional during our interview and excused himself before softly whispering: “it’s just not enough.”
After gaining his composure he went on to add that he does still have hope for the future, despite the immense pain and tragic events happening to his community.
“PAL has children who are now politicians, school teachers, all doing positive things,” Littles said. “And we don’t know what to do other than keep praying and keep working.”
A GoFundMe has been set up by Nelson’s family to pay for funeral arrangements, if you would like to donate you can click here.
Rice’s family has also set up a GoFundMe to help offset the cost of his medical treatment at Shepherd Spinal Clinic in Atlanta. If you’d like to help donate you can click here.
If you would like to volunteer with Memphis PAL, you find the information at this link.
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