Classmates and loved ones gathered in Stone Mountain on Friday to remember a Gwinnett County teenager who was murdered this week. Investigators say Paul Sampleton was shot and killed inside his Grayson home on Wednesday.
Friday's vigil was held at Wade Walker Park, where organizers said Sampleton learned about football and life.
Throughout the night, friends and teammates signed helmets jerseys and posters to show their love for the budding football player. Sampleton was on the freshman team at Grayson High School. He also played on recreation teams with Rock Chapel and Central DeKalb and an all-star team .
Paul's father and other family members were present but didn't speak publicly. They were comforted by a long string of friends are who were touched deeply by the family's loss.
"Our prayers go all out to his parents and we just all miss him right now," said Rohn Blackston, a friend of Paul.
Football teammates, high school classmates, neighbors attended the vigil, hoping that the family finds closure with the arrest of whoever took Paul's life, but also to remember the young man with a bright smile with lots of friends who made a big impact.
Organizers said that a memorial service is planned for next Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home in Lawrenceville. The funeral will be the next day in Macon at the Holsey Temple Church at 1:00 p.m.
A football scholarship has been established at Wells Fargo Bank in Paul Sampleton's name for future football players
Gwinnett County police are looking into the possibility that Sampleton was killed over tennis shoes. A friend says Paul was an avid shoe collector and traded them on the internet. Police say they are not identifying that as the motive, but it is one of the things they are investigating.
Saturday, May 18 2013 4:53 PM EDT2013-05-18 20:53:02 GMT
Security will be tight and traffic will be messy around the Morehouse College campus on Sunday. President Barack Obama will address graduates at the college's commencement ceremony.
Security will be tight and traffic will be messy around the Morehouse College campus on Sunday. President Barack Obama will address graduates at the college's commencement ceremony.
Saturday, May 18 2013 3:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 19:44:49 GMT
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
State officials are reminding drivers the national "Click It or Ticket" campaign is set to begin and could translate to fines for drivers and passengers who aren't wearing seatbelts.
State officials are reminding drivers the national "Click It or Ticket" campaign is set to begin and could translate to fines for drivers and passengers who aren't wearing seatbelts.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:59 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:59:14 GMT
Who wants to a millionaire? How about 600 times over?
Who wants to a millionaire? How about 600 times over? The already gigantic Powerball jackpot for this Saturday night's drawing has risen again, hitting $600 million at noon on Friday—which is the highest in the history of the game.