ALAMANCE COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — A group of moms in Burlington honored a 7-year-old on Thursday who was shot and killed.
A group of mothers were not only practicing for fun on Graham Middle School’s football field but also ran up and down the field in honor of 7-year-old Mason Jenkins. He was a victim of gun violence in Burlington.
Shelby Murray whose son was teammates with Mason on the Air Cavs Football Team says they named their powderpuff team Mason Forever in his honor.
Burlington police say in September, Mason was shot and killed while playing outside the Beaumont Court Apartments.
It’s a loss his teammates are still processing.
“It’s been really hard for all the boys, especially Mason’s teammates. I was not as close to Mason, so I can imagine how they feel. But as far as my son and the other women behind me and their kids, they were all affected,” Murray said
It’s an even tougher emotional battle for Mason’s father James Jenkins since this was his first Thanksgiving without his son.
“He was a staple of our family … Never wanted to eat anything but always wanted to have fun. We all miss that,” Jenkins said.
To keep Mason’s spirit alive, the group of mothers will host a Stop the Violence Women’s Flag Football Game on Saturday at Green Level Municipal Park.
It starts at 10 a.m., and admission will cost you $7. All the proceeds will go towards a college fund for Mason’s sister.
Burlington police originally charged two people with Mason’s murder but dropped the charges because o false witness reports.
Police later charged Syquan Mason-Rhames with first-degree murder.
As the Mothers Against Gun Violence group gets prepared for Saturday’s competition, Mason’s father has a message for the community.
“Just stop the violence,” Jenkins said.
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