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

KINGSPORT — Hundreds of people, predominantly Kingsport City Schools students and some faculty and family, gathered for a a candlelight vigil and balloon release Saturday night for 15-year-old Malek Jones. Multiple people at the 6:30 p.m. event identified the high school youth who died following an injury from a shooting earlier in the week. Monday, Kingsport police announced that the student, not named because he is a juvenile, died from his injuries, and the shooting charges were updated from attempted first-degree murder to first-degree murder. Malek's identity and death also was confirmed by 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, also indicated Jones died from the shooting injuries. The events lasted more than an hour. The shooting occurred Wednesday evening, Feb. 11, at an apartment complex and his death became widely known by fellow students Friday morning. Multiple KCS students said they learned about his death Friday morning at school. Multiple speakers Saturday night said they were certain Malek was celebrating his first 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. Anthony Purcell 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." FRIENDS, FAMILY SPEAK ABOUT MALEK 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 placed directly under a basketball goal at the park. Officers in two Kingsport Police Department 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 Sevier 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. Another teacher, who works at Cora Cox, spoke during the event. She 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 and Sevier 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. However, by Monday afternoon shortly before 3 p.m., the account has increased to $8,031 out of a goal increased to $11,000. INFORMATION ON PERPETRATOR, ACCESSORY 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. Soon, police confirmed a petition had been obtained for the arrest of the juvenile shooting suspect, who was charged with attempted first-degree murder, charges the Monday KPD update indicated were upgraded to first-degree murder after Malek's death. Police also obtained an arrest warrant for Locke, updated to charge Locke with being an accessory to first-degree murder after the fact. The unidentified 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 initial news 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. The Monday update said the juvenile was still at large. Anyone with information about the shooting 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, may submit tips 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. Five vertical reels or videos from the event, including tearful accounts and memories of Malek from people who knew him, can be seen on the Times News Facebook and Instagram pages.