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Pottstown High School student killed in Philadelphia shooting is remembered

POTTSTOWN — Students and family of Pottstown High School student Ahmir Jones, 18, gathered Thursday evening at the school’s stadium to remember him and mourn his untimely passing.

Ahmir Jones(Image from screenshot)

“He would always lift us up when we were down,” said James Ryder, who played soccer with Ahmir on the school team. “I know we’re all going to miss him,” he said as the brief memorial service got underway Thursday evening.

According to a KYW News Radio report, Jones “was shot in the chest right in front of a charter school, about three blocks from Temple University’s campus” a little after 2 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 16.

“Ahmir Jones was walking with his girlfriend just after 2 a.m. along Cecil B. Moore Avenue, near 17th Street, when two men approached them,” according to the KYW report.

Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Frank Vanore told KYW that one of the two men grabbed a cellphone from Jones’s girlfriend, who was not identified, and he stepped in front to protect her. That’s when one of the men shot him in the chest, according to the report.

Jones died at the hospital.

“This is a tragedy and our hearts and prayers go out to his family, loved ones, and friends,” Pottstown Schools Superintendent Stephen Rodriguez wrote in a post on the school district Facebook page announcing the tragic news.

Members of the Pottstown soccer and football teams observe a moment of silence for Ahmir Jones, who was killed in Philadelphia early Tuesday.(Evan Brandt — MediaNews Group)

School counselors and psychologists were made available for any student or staff who needed support through the grieving process.

Some of that grieving occurred Thursday evening when about 50 people attended a service at Grigg Memorial Field.

“From the moment I met him, I knew he was going to have a big impact on the team,” said Pottstown soccer coach Jace Stofflet. “He was a big personality that you could not ignore. He was a huge bright spot on the team,” Stofflet said. “He always had a positive and supportive attitude. He will be missed and he was loved.

“He never failed to put a smile on your face,” said Soccer Team Captain Jake Moser. “He loved living life the way he wanted to.”

Stephanie O’Connor hugs soccer team captain Jake Moser after he and team member James Ryder presented her with Jones’ soccer jersey.

On a table with flowers and candles burning, students signed a large card with messages to Jones. They also signed his white soccer jersey with the number 30, the shirt he wore for away games.

His blue jersey, signaling he was home, was presented to his family.

Rodriguez urged anyone with any information about the crime, to “please reach out to police or school officials.”

Jones is the second Pottstown High School student to be shot and killed in Philadelphia in as many years.

Last September, Jaheim Lamarre, 17, was killed in a quadruple shooting in the city’s Breeze Point section.


Source: Berkshire mont

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