DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Deerfield Beach Police are searching for the shooters involved in killing a teenage boy in front of his mother, leaving family and classmates devastated by the sudden loss.
Fifteen-year-old Terrance Jackson, who was known as TeeJay among his classmates at Deerfield Beach High School, was a football star, and his tragic death left them with a gloomy start to the school week as they returned to class without him on Monday.
“He was really funny, very energetic, and it’s very depressing to see him go like that,” junior Jossalie Pinto said.
Jackson was shot and killed after attending his grandfather’s funeral in Riviera Beach, Saturday.
According to police, a family argument broke out at the cemetery where Jackson’s grandfather was buried and turned violent when, according to his mother Tronicia, 47-year-old Royce Freeman grabbed a gun and shot Jackson in the neck.
“I heard a shot, and I turned backwards, and when I turned back to the front of me, I see my son standing with his hand over his neck,” mother Tronicia said. “Then, I start calling to my baby. I went and called him to hold me. I ripped his bow tie off his neck, and that’s when I see the blood starting to seep. I ripped his shirt open, and I see a hole in his neck, and I tried to put my finger in it to pull the bullet out, and my nails broke. He just looked at me, and I said, ‘Terrance, just breathe, OK? Just breathe, Terrance. Help is on the way. Just breathe.’ He shook his head, OK. I said, ‘Mommy loves you, baby. Just breathe.’ Then he turned to the sun, and looked back at me, and he didn’t move anymore.”
Jackson died in his mother’s arms.
“My only son, my baby didn’t do anything. He never hung out on the street. He never ran with the crowd,” Tronicia said. “My baby played football with the school and played his video games.”
Someone else fired back at Freeman. According to police, 13 rounds were fired.
Freeman also died and another person was injured.
Jackson, who would have turned 16 on Wednesday, was a sophomore at Deerfield Beach High, where he played defensive end on the school’s football team. He was described by the Broward County school district as a good student and athlete who hoped to make it to professional football one day.
“He was very focused. Every day all he talked about was football. He watched football all day in class,” junior Jaccorian Farley said.
Now Jackson’s mother, who just lost her father, has to plan another funeral. The classmates and friends he left behind are now mourning his loss, the second loss that Deerfield Beach High School had in less than two months.
In December, 17-year-old wide receiver and Georgia Tech recruit Bryce Gowdy was struck and killed by a train. Authorities ruled his death a suicide.
“I knew Bryce personally, and then seeing that happen right after, I was like, ‘Wow, we just lost two of our best players,'” senior Aniah Porter said.
“I want justice. This was a senseless murder,” Tronicia said. “This man shot my son for no reason.”
Jackson’s mother wants justice because she said if there were other people involved in the altercation, she wants them to be held accountable.
Jackson’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for funeral expenses. To donate, click here.
If you have any information about this shooting, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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