Family members of a Lincoln University student murdered earlier this month are expressing their gratitude to the Jefferson City community for their support.
Vaughn M. King Jr., 21, was killed while visiting his home in Chicago on the weekend of Aug. 2.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Vaughn was one of two men who were shot on the South Side of Chicago. They were sitting on the lakefront on South Lake Shore Drive when two gunmen walked up to them and fired gunshots.
Vaughn was wounded in the abdomen and eventually died from his wounds.
Authorities did not give a motive for the shooting.
Vaughn was a full-time student at LU and employed with Gerbes Supermarkets. He played fullback for LU and was scheduled to return for his second season.
Vaughn's aunt, Shannon King, thanked the Jefferson City community for its "awesome
outpouring of love and support we have received in Chicago."
King said Gerbes held a balloon release on Aug. 7 and shut down the deli department where Vaughn worked during the ceremony. They also made a donation to a charity of the family's choice in Chicago that will go toward stopping violence.
"Lincoln University's football coaches and over a dozen students drove to Chicago for the celebration of Vaughn's life that was held for him on Aug. 9," King said.
"Coaches had his jersey framed and presented it to the family at the service."
She said the team also invited the family down for the homecoming football game to witness something special they plan to do in Vaughn's honor.
"I don't know how large or small Jefferson City is, but my family takes comfort in knowing he went to school and worked at a place that cared about, supported and are remembering him for the awesome person he was," she said.