‘It hurts me to the bottom of my soul.’ Mourners gather at vigil for slain teenager
Amid grave faces and candle flicks, a teenager’s mourners considered Friday night what had brought them to a high school parking lot in Arlington.
The circumstances of 16-year-old Sam Reynolds’ killing the day before in the grass between buildings in his apartment complex were hard to grasp, they said. Reynolds was shot in the chest by a boy a year younger, law enforcement authorities allege.
The victim’s relatives told detectives they believe the assailant was fueled by anger stirred because Reynolds had broken up a fight involving the suspect a few days before the killing, Arlington police said.
Shay Tyes, a friend of Reynolds’ mother, attended a vigil outside Arlington High School, where the teenager was a student. The apparent motivation was stunning, she said.
“For this child to feel like they had to go get a gun and kill someone because he defended a young person disgusts me. It hurts me to the bottom of my soul. It’s unbelievable. It’s unimaginable.”
It was not at all a surprise that Reynolds had interceded in a fight, she said. He stopped the suspect from bullying a “smaller boy,” the family told police.
“He cared about people. He didn’t want to see anyone get hurt,” Tyes said.
Friday evening, the teenager’s family and friends gathered to recall their memories. His mother, Madison Fletcher, hugged many of the mourners. They prayed.
“I don’t know how I’m going to get through this. How we’re going to get through this,” she said. “But it really helps to know that I have all of you behind me. Behind us.”
The 15-year-old suspect, whose name authorities have not released because of his age, will remain in custody, a judge ruled Friday. Officials at a juvenile detention hearing Friday said they expect the murder case will be presented to a grand jury.
Reynolds was slain outside his apartment building in the 900 block of Benge Drive.
Witnesses told police that they saw the suspect walking with Reynolds. The suspect pulled a handgun from the back of his pants, fired one shot toward the victim’s chest and then ran away, according to surveillance video and witnesses. Reynolds took a few steps and then fell to the ground.
This story was originally published February 7, 2020 at 11:39 PM.
