Crime & Safety
Evanston Community Turns to Social Media to Mourn Boy's Loss
Friends and even strangers touched by Dajae Coleman's death turn to Facebook, Twitter to remember the boy
As the Evanston community mourns the loss of Dajae Coleman, many are turning to social media to share their memories of the 14-year-old boy.
They are remembering a talented basketball player, who was a good friend, and a beloved family member.
As they heard the news last night, many got onto social media and urged each other to remember the boy, and to wear his favorite color, red, in his honor Monday.
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They also are reaching out via social media to basketball player LeBron James, one of Dajae’s heroes, asking him to acknowledge the passing of such a super fan, at such an early age.
Many who don’t even know the boy also are mourning the senseless loss of Dajae Coleman, who was known to his friends as Dae Dae.
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Read Dajae Coleman's belief statement from his 9th grade humanities class.
Here are some examples:
He was a brother to us and he is up there watching us now and he is heeling and we are blessed that he is heeling. Let him heel he needs it R.i.p
###DaeDae World Gone but never forgotten
gone so soon , its hard for everybody to believe cause you were always smiling , always into your sports & you were a caring / loving person , you had a lot of good Friends , & You never caused trouble with anyone , you had a good future & great GOALS .. Ball In paradise & may your soul R.I.P Dajae . Gone But Never Forgotten . Your Family & All your supportive friends , especially Elite Boys , Your basketball team mates & including your 5deep friends and some One else special to you Are in My prayerss . ♥ !!!
I did not know Dajae and my own daughters are grown, but somehow I feel that he could have been my son too. I grieve for his family and friends. I live just down the block from where Dajae Coleman took his last breath. My thoughts are with you all.
a person so nice and kind doesn't deserve this. i'm glad i went to school with such an incredible guy, you changed so many people.
rest in peace.
I couldnt wait to see DaeDae with an Evanston Basketball jersey on. He had a promising future. Stop the violence......#DaeDaeWorld
Dajae Coleman, at age 14, was shot and killed yesterday in Evanston, a suburb of Chicago. He was an outstanding basketball player, and a great friend to everyone. He worked hard in school, and didn't deserve his fate. But the reason I am writing this is that Dajae was a die-hard LeBron fan. If anyone ever said anything negative about him, he would argue. You don't know how much it would have meant to him, and would mean to all of his friends and family if LeBron James were to recognize this loss. So all I am asking is a brief video clip, letter, or even tweet from LeBron acknowledging that he cares about his fans.
If you'd like to follow some of the tributes to Dajae, or offer your own via social media, you can head to:
https://www.facebook.com/events/446766785369607/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/356648824421557/?ref=ts
