The 14-year old Jaylon McKenzie was killed late Saturday night.
What We Know:
- McKenzie was a middle school star football player at Mason Clark.
- Playing running back, wide receiver and defensive back, McKenzie was named by Sports Illustrated as someone who “will rule the future of sports” in November 2018. A phenomenal player, he already received offers from University of Missouri and Illinois.
- As an eighth grader he had the support of not only his community, but the sports world as well. However, his life was cut short too soon.
- He was shot by a stray bullet after a fight broke out at a party he attended in Venice, Illinois Saturday night.
- The young football player was pronounced dead at the hospital after emergency services arrived and tried to resuscitate him.
- The act of violence is a shock to the community, with the overall crime rate in Venice being 50% lower than the national average.
- “My baby had such a promising future…He didn’t say much, but he just drew people to him with his smile, with his personality…” his mother, Sukeena Gunner, said.
May he rest in peace and his family find peace as well.
