Phenix City’s John Jones, 12, was tragically killed in a shooting that occurred one week ago Friday.
According to what a close family friend told WRBL, Jones’ relatives were immediately in “disbelief,” experiencing “[u]ndescribable pain.”
Jones, they said, had been diagnosed with autism at age-five.
He was described as “a very loving and affectionate young boy who was a die hard Alabama football fan.”
“Every weekend when a game was on he was watching it. He loved his Alabama with his daddy. His daddy and him would sit there and they would watch it and they would have a ball,” another close family friend explained.
Amidst their grief, the family had one final wish for the boy: That he would be buried in a Crimson Tide jersey signed by his favorite player, quarterback Tuanigamanuolepola “Tua” Tagovailoa.
One day ahead of his Saturday funeral, University of Alabama alumnus and WPLG reporter Parker Branton reported that the family’s hope will become reality.
Branton shared pictures of a Bama football and jersey, both signed by Tagovailoa, that will be buried with Jones.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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