TOLEDO, Ohio — Just hours after 15-year-old DaVion Stribling was killed in an early morning shooting on Tuesday in central Toledo, family and friends took it upon themselves to honor his life.
It first started at a youth football scrimmage at Willys Park in west Toledo. The Toledo Youth Football League's Whittier Jets and West Toledo Rockets held a 61-second moment of silence at 6:01 p.m. for DaVion, who wore #61 as a member of the Jets.
"It's sad, man," said Thomas Walker, a parent of Thomas Walker IV, a player for the Jets. "My family, our heart goes out to them. I know our community; our hearts go out to them. "
According to Toledo police, DaVion was killed in a drive-by shooting while playing basketball at about 3:30 a.m. on Clinton Street.
It's a situation that concerns other parents, like Walker, about the safety of their own.
"I'm heartbroken," he said. "Actually, me and my son had a long conversation about just being aware when we were coming here. I was talking to him, just letting him know of things that could possibly happen when you're out here. Try to be safe at all times and be aware of your surroundings."
But in light of that, Walker's son told his dad that he remembers DaVion for his smile and spirit.
"From my son, he's been playing here since he was seven years old," Walker said. "He knew him and said he was a good kid, always smiling, always energetic and he was a good teammate."
The Jets' coaches remember DaVion fondly, too.
"He was definitely a good kid," said Jacoba Clark, a coach for the Jets. "He didn't cause any trouble and he was definitely a pleasure to have on the Whittier Jets."
Later Tuesday night, family and friends gathered at the West Toledo branch library to mourn DaVion, who was the oldest of 10 children and a student at Bennett Venture Academy.
He was destined for big things, said Bobbi Lipkins, DaVion's cousin.
"He was an exceptional, awesome kid and they took somebody away that we'll never know," Lipkins said. "He'll never get a chance to live his dream of playing football or basketball."
Toledo police say the investigation is still underway and no suspects have been named.