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.
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:17 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:17:55 GMT
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