Wali Clanton Jr. Memorial Service at Dutchtown High School

Thursday, June 18, 2015

There has been a lot of seemingly senseless violence as of late. Hate crimes in Charleston, South Carolina have definitely taken the spotlight this week. But this isn’t about Charleston. Last weekend Wali Clanton Jr. was sitting at home with his mother watching a movie. A little after 10p.m. he took a call and went to a pool party at a friends house. That was the last time his mother Latoscha Brown saw her son alive. Fayette police are still trying to untangle what lead to the fatal shooting along a well-appointed stretch of estates and mansions where Wali was shot and killed.

Thursday evening, Wali’s family, friends, former classmates, football players and the Hampton community at large came together at Dutchtown High School to grieve and remember a young man who always had a smile on his face. There were a lot of tears and even a little bit of laughter as coaches, friends and family told stories about Wali. The family was presented with his old football jersey and the two hour service ended with a balloon release outside of the school.

Latoscha Brown (right) walks with Ebony Pearson (left) as they arrive for the memorial service for Brown's son Wali Clanton Jr. at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Latoscha Brown (right) walks with Ebony Pearson (left) as they arrive for the memorial service for Brown’s son Wali Clanton Jr. at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Latoscha Brown (center) covers her face with her hands during the memorial service for her son Wali Clanton Jr.at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Latoscha Brown (center) covers her face with her hands during the memorial service for her son Wali Clanton Jr.at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Kimberly Ross (right) holds onto Gregory Powell as they and Andre Grimsley grieve during Wali Clanton Jr's. memorial service at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Kimberly Ross (right) holds onto Gregory Powell as they and Andre Grimsley grieve during Wali Clanton Jr’s. memorial service at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Coach Kevin Jones (center) speaks during the memorial service for Wali Clanton Jr. at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Coach Kevin Jones (center) speaks during the memorial service for Wali Clanton Jr. at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Latoscha Brown (center) covers her face with her hands during the memorial service for her son Wali Clanton Jr.at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Latoscha Brown (center) covers her face with her hands during the memorial service for her son Wali Clanton Jr.at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Andre Grimsley (center) is carried off stage by friends as he tries to speak during Wali Clanton Jr's. memorial service at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Andre Grimsley (center) is carried off stage by friends as he tries to speak during Wali Clanton Jr’s. memorial service at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Myrical Lamar (center right) speaks during the memorial service for Wali Clanton Jr.at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Myrical Lamar (center right) speaks during the memorial service for Wali Clanton Jr.at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Latoscha Brown (center), mother of Wali Clanton Jr., wipes tears from her eyes during the memorial service for her son at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Latoscha Brown (center), mother of Wali Clanton Jr., wipes tears from her eyes during the memorial service for her son at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Former classmates, friends and family of Wali Clanton Jr. lsiten as he is remembered during the memorial service at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Former classmates, friends and family of Wali Clanton Jr. lsiten as he is remembered during the memorial service at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Anita Robinson (right) speaks during the memorial service for her nephew Wali Clanton Jr.at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Anita Robinson (right) speaks during the memorial service for her nephew Wali Clanton Jr.at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Shawn Odom (center) holds  Wali Clanton Jr.'s jersey in a shadow box before he and other members of the Dutchtown High School football team present the gift to Clanton's mother during the memorial service on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Shawn Odom (center) holds Wali Clanton Jr.’s jersey in a shadow box before he and other members of the Dutchtown High School football team present the gift to Clanton’s mother during the memorial service on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Latoscha Brown (center), mother of Wali Clanton Jr., hugs her son's former classmates during the memorial service at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Latoscha Brown (center), mother of Wali Clanton Jr., hugs her son’s former classmates during the memorial service at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Shawn Odom (left) comforts Lewis Howard during the memorial service for Wali Clanton Jr. at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Shawn Odom (left) comforts Lewis Howard during the memorial service for Wali Clanton Jr. at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Former classmates, friends and family of Wali Clanton Jr. link arms during the memorial service at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Former classmates, friends and family of Wali Clanton Jr. link arms during the memorial service at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Pastor Andre Landers speaks during the memorial service for Wali Clanton Jr. at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Pastor Andre Landers speaks during the memorial service for Wali Clanton Jr. at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Latoscha Brown (center) watches as balloons are released in honor of her son at the conclusion of the services for Wali Clanton Jr. at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Latoscha Brown (center) watches as balloons are released in honor of her son at the conclusion of the services for Wali Clanton Jr. at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Latoscha Brown (center) covers her face as balloons are released in honor of her son at the conclusion of the services for Wali Clanton Jr. at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Latoscha Brown (center) covers her face as balloons are released in honor of her son at the conclusion of the services for Wali Clanton Jr. at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

Latoscha Brown (center) hugs Maiya Dowdell (right) at the conclusion of the services for Wali Clanton Jr. at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015. Dowdell is recovering from injuries sustained from the same pool party that turned violent where Clanton Jr. lost his life.

Latoscha Brown (center) hugs Maiya Dowdell (right) at the conclusion of the services for Wali Clanton Jr. at Dutchtown High School in Hampton on Thursday, June 18, 2015. Dowdell is recovering from injuries sustained from the same pool party that turned violent where Clanton Jr. lost his life.