Victim’s short life will leave a lasting impression
There were stories about his diligence and perseverance on the football field and tales about his example-setting behavior at school and his friendly attitude and dedication in his job at McDonald’s.
The two-hour celebration of Anthony Jahmal Turner’s life on Friday showed some people don’t need a long time to make a strong impression.
Family, friends and community members, including a large contingent of his football teammates, attended the funeral of the 17-year-old nicknamed Jersey.
His family had moved to the area a year-and-a-half ago from Camden, N.J., to get away from the violence. But Turner, who was to graduate from East High School in June, was shot last Sunday by a stray bullet outside a party on Augustine Street.
He had been promoted just two weeks earlier to manager at the McDonald’s on Empire Boulevard in Webster.
“The more I got to know him, it turned from a friendship to seeing him as my brother,” said Reggie King, an East High student and Turner’s best friend. “I really liked how he looked out for me, but the more I knew him, I found out he looked out for everybody because that was the kind of person he was.
“I never got a chance to tell Jersey how much I loved him.”
East High football coaches talked about his dedication coming back from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for most of the season. He eventually became a starter in the team’s last playoff game.
“He was only at East for a little more than a year, and his life affected a lot of people,” said Paul Brigandi, East High head coach. “Heaven must have been looking for an outside linebacker, and he’s going to be a good one.”
The staff presented the family with Turner’s No. 10 jersey and a purple “E,” his varsity football letter.
“Anthony was the kid you almost never hear about. The one who was going to graduate on time, who helped out at home, played sports and still took care of business in the classroom,” said Anibal Soler, East High principal. “Anthony is the kid who leaves an imprint in the community.”
