Candlelight vigil, balloon release, held for 15-year-old sophomore who died from shooting injuries

KINGSPORT — Hundreds of people, predominately Kingsport City Schools students and some faculty and family, gathered for a a candlelight vigil and balloon release Saturday evening for 15-year-old Malek Jones. Multiple people at the event identified the sophomore as the youth who died following an injury in a shooting earlier in the week. That is also according to a GoFundMe called "Bring Malek Jones Home" set up to help his family get him back to Florida for burial. A Facebook post about the vigil, which was followed by a balloon release, indicated Jones died from the shooting injuries. Multiple students said they learned about his death Friday morning at school. The shooting occurred Wednesday evening, Feb. 11, and his death became widely known by fellow students Friday morning. Multiple speakers said they were certain Malek was celebrating his first Saint Valentine's Day in heaven Saturday. "There are moments in life that leave us completely heartbroken — and this is one of them," Lauren and Anthony Purcell, organizers of the GoFundMe, wrote on the GoFundMe website. He also helped organize the vigil and balloon release at Borden Park, putting hundreds of Valentine's Day balloons intermingled with black balloons into the chilly night air. Purcell, who got to know Malek through a basketball program called 423 Hoopz, said he had no idea how many attended the event, announced on social media. Parking was full at the park for the event that lasted about an hour. "Malek Jones was a bright light in every room he walked into. He was known for his contagious smile, his kind heart and the way he looked out for others like a true big brother. His life was taken far too soon due to an act of senseless violence, leaving his family, friends, and community devastated," the GoFundMe seeking funds for Malek's family said. "Malek's family does not have many connections in Tennessee, and they are now facing the unexpected financial burden of transporting him back home to Florida and covering funeral expenses. No family should have to navigate this kind of pain while also worrying about costs. "We are asking for your support to help bring Malek home and give him the proper farewell he deserves. Any amount — big or small — will make a difference and will go directly toward transportation and funeral expenses. If you are unable to give financially, please consider sharing this fundraiser and keeping Malek's family in your prayers during this unimaginable time. Let's come together and surround this family with love, strength and support." One by one, his classmates, teachers and others who knew him, including his family, spoke out at the basketball court where the event took place. The speakers and those in attendance were a mix of white, Black, male, female, young and old. "Thank you all for coming out. It's hard for me," a male family member said. A woman then said, "Malek was my special grandbaby." She recounted that he was born prematurely at 2 pounds, 7 ounces, but was a fighter and full of spunk and determination over his 15 years of life. Purcell said, "I'm going to miss Malek. I don't know how to continue." He and others said Malek liked to joke and lovingly pick on his classmates and was hyper competitive in sports, including track and basketball. A poster of him, lit in the darkness from candles underneath it, was the center of the event and directly under a basketball goal at the park. Officers in two Kingsport Police vehicles were nearby, but the event was peaceful as speakers urged peace and an end to such violence, although one family member in tears said the senseless death must have consequences. Another speaker, who said he was a fellow Kingsport City Schools student, said: "All I've done is cry, and it ain't going to stop for a long time." Multiple students said word spread quickly Friday morning among the KCS community. Everybody attending the event seemed to have a connection or comment about Malek even if they did not speak publicly at the event, including Dobyns-Bennett High School students Eli Knowles, Jamison Story, Bryson Bentley, Grayon Gillenwater and Grayson Neeley, as well as Seiver Middle student Ronald Marshall. A KCS teacher as the event ended told a reporter that Malek attended Jackson Elementary, Sevier Middle and then D-B briefly, later moving to Cora Cox Academy, an alternative school. A Cora Cox teacher who spoke during the event said Malek could be a handful but will be missed everyday by the faculty and students at Cora Cox, as well as students from D-B who knew him. She said he sometimes had salty language but a proverbial heart of gold and was always making people laugh. Other speakers included a girl who identified as Malek's former girlfriend and students and adults who played and/or discussed sports with Malek. As of Saturday night shortly before 9 p.m., the GoFundMe account had reached $4,825 of the $6,000 goal. The Kingsport Police Department after the shooting was looking for a juvenile and 25-year-old Haley Locke, the department announced the morning after the shooting. Also by Thursday morning, police confirmed a petition had been obtained for the arrest of the juvenile shooting suspect, who was charged with attempted first-degree murder, charges that are to be upgraded to first-degree murder. An arrest warrant has also been obtained for Locke, charging Locke with being an accessory after the fact. The juvenile and Locke were seen in a white, 2010 Ford Fusion with a Tennessee license plate 975 BQGD affixed to the rear bumper. The Ford had a black hood, according to the release. In a late Thursday afternoon, Feb. 12 update, KPD announced the car was recovered and Locke was in custody, but the juvenile had not been located. KPD's release states Locke should be considered "armed and dangerous." Anyone with information about the shooting is should call the Criminal Investigative Division at 423-229-9429. Alternatively, individuals who can supply information related to this or any other case but wish not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously through the "Citizen Feedback" forms available online at the following link: kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-police/. To donate to the GoFundMe for Malek's family to get his body to Florida, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-bring-malek-jones-home. Vertical reels videos from the event can be seen on the Times News Facebook and Instagram pages.