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KANSAS CITY, MO -
Hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects to a 17-year old described as having a promising future, a future cut short by a gunshot to the chest. Nelson Hopkins Jr. was not a gang banger or a thug. He was a honor student who did all the right things according to his family and friends. But his pastor says he was lost to foolishness.
While Hopkins did not have a long life, his friends say he had a fulfilled life loving music, poetry and debate classes.
"He could have gone and done anything," said Jennifer Miller, computer science teacher. "He put his heart into everything he did."
Hopkins was praised for the life he lived and given a standing ovation at his funeral. His pastor said you know a tree by the fruit it bares, and he knew Hopkins would bare greatness. But that greatness was cut short on Dec. 1 when someone shot the 17-year-old in the chest as he walked near Rockhurst University.
Police say he was gunned down with a college application in his pocket.
"It's not right," said Frank Sarro, friend. "He shouldn't have went like this, but I know he's in a better place and watching over me now."
As he reminisced about his son, Nelson Hopkins Sr. urged everyone to get involved in their community so other young people with promising futures can achieve their dreams.
"Would talk hours on end to wee hours in the morning, and we would talk about all kinds of things about life, about love, and we talked about relationships," said Hopkins Sr., father. "I would tell him, 'You can say anything you want to say as long as you are respectful.'"
Hopkins Sr. said he not only lost a son but a friend too.
If you have information to help police solve Hopkins' murder, call the Tips Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS.
While Hopkins did not have a long life, his friends say he had a fulfilled life loving music, poetry and debate classes.
"He could have gone and done anything," said Jennifer Miller, computer science teacher. "He put his heart into everything he did."
Hopkins was praised for the life he lived and given a standing ovation at his funeral. His pastor said you know a tree by the fruit it bares, and he knew Hopkins would bare greatness. But that greatness was cut short on Dec. 1 when someone shot the 17-year-old in the chest as he walked near Rockhurst University.
Police say he was gunned down with a college application in his pocket.
"It's not right," said Frank Sarro, friend. "He shouldn't have went like this, but I know he's in a better place and watching over me now."
As he reminisced about his son, Nelson Hopkins Sr. urged everyone to get involved in their community so other young people with promising futures can achieve their dreams.
"Would talk hours on end to wee hours in the morning, and we would talk about all kinds of things about life, about love, and we talked about relationships," said Hopkins Sr., father. "I would tell him, 'You can say anything you want to say as long as you are respectful.'"
Hopkins Sr. said he not only lost a son but a friend too.
If you have information to help police solve Hopkins' murder, call the Tips Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS.
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