JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Family members have identified the teenager who was killed in a shooting Friday night that left another man wounded as a former Robert E. Lee High School student.
On Saturday, they said the man killed was Malik Brown, 18. His father said Brown attended Warner University in Lake Wales, where he played football.
READ: Teen killed, man shot during Northwest Jacksonville robbery
Natrina Williams, Brown’s aunt, told News4Jax her nephew left behind an infant daughter. She said football and family was his life.
“He had plenty of offers for college and he chose Warner University to continue his education and play football," Williams said. "He was scheduled to return to school on Tuesday but his life was cut short with him being here.”
Williams said Brown was well known and loved across Duval County. She said he started his football career at University Christian and then transferred to Lee High, where he graduated with a 3.8 grade point average.
“What I treasure the most is he would come home come from playing football, come over and visit my mom, which is his great-grandmother, and he would get in the bed with her and hug her, as well as his grandmother who passed, so he was very lovable to his family," Williams said.
READ: Head football coach remembers former Lee High student shot, killed
Williams said Brown’s family will care for his baby girl.
“It is heartbreaking to the family, but we will be there to support the mom, and the baby as well, and to share the memories of Malik with her even though she won’t get the opportunity to know her father and get that one-on-one relationship with him," Williams said.
Investigators believe the shooting happened during a robbery in the parking lot of an apartment complex on West 12th Street. Police said Malik died at the scene.
The second victim, who was believed to be in his 20s, was shot multiple times but was expected to survive, police said.
Cure Violence and Bridges to the Cure plan to hold a candlelight vigil this Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Brown’s honor. It will be in the parking lot of the Dollar General on Kings Road.
Investigators have not released descriptions of the suspects they believe were involved in the shooting. Anyone with information was asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers.
It’s sad to hear another loss of a student athlete here in Jacksonville. Prayers to the family and friends of Malik. https://t.co/mieOldYapA
— 904 Johnson Sports (@NorthflJohnson) January 4, 2020
Prayers for the family of Malik brown. I have only good memories and interactions with this young man. Always respectful and kind-hearted. I'm deeply saddened by the loss of his life.
— AFA Jax FL (@AFA_JaxFL) January 4, 2020