MINNEAPOLIS — Deshaun Hill's family held a memorial service at North Central University for the 15-year-old victim of gun violence in downtown Minneapolis on Tuesday.
Hill, a sophomore and star athlete at North High School, was shot near Penn Avenue North and Golden Valley Road in north Minneapolis while on his way to catch a bus back on Feb. 9. He died the next day.
Family and friends say sports were a big part of Hill's life, and the stage for his memorial service reflected that with jerseys and footballs.
One mother at the service spoke of how Hill pushed her son to try sports, and inspired him to do better in school. She said it was a big part in her son elevating his grades to A's and B's.
Beloved by friends and family, the North High community packed the school gym to honor Hill on Feb. 12.
"He didn't play fight, like he didn't like arguing, he was so quiet and his smile was so big," said Javayaa Puckett, a childhood friend. "All he was worried about was where his future was going to go."
"When I tell you [his family] instilled in him everything that we are told to instill in our children, they did," said North High principal Mauri Friestleben.
On Feb. 16, Minneapolis police confirmed they made an arrest in connection to Hill's death but didn't release any details due to the ongoing investigation.
Following news of the arrest, Hill's mom Tuesday Sheppard said the update didn't bring her much comfort because "it won't bring Deshaun back." She said police informed her of the arrest in a phone call and she has "no idea who it's going to be."
A GoFundMe to support Hill's family, which had an original goal of $12,000, has received more than $68,000 in donations as of Tuesday morning.
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