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Features
Controversy Surrounds Teen’s Shooting As Family Prepares To Lay Basketball Star To Rest
Macy’s To Close Stores At University Mall, Lakeland And Sarasota
Macy’s announced Wednesday that it is closing 68 stores over the United States. Three of those stores will be in the Tampa Bay area. The stores are set to close by summer.
The store at University Square Mall, Tampa, opened
in 1974; Lakeland Square Mall, opened in 1995; and Sarasota Square Mall, opened in 1977, will all be closing.
Nationwide, approxi- mately 10,000 individuals are expected to lose their jobs.
JAYQUON JOHNSON 7/8/1999 to 1/1/2017
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
The family of Jayquon Johnson is making final preparations to lay him to rest. His funeral is planned for Saturday, January 7th, at 2 p.m.
A Star Athlete
Grief Counselors were on the campus of Brandon High School Tuesday when the students returned from Winter Break. Jayquon was a 10th grade student and a star varsity basketball player. This was his second year attending Brandon High School.
Standing 6’10” tall, his coach, Jamie Turner said, “We loved Jayquon dearly. When he was in the game, he was encouraging his teammates. When he was on the sideline, he encour- aged the team. He was the biggest cheerleader on the team.
“He was a big time kid with a big time smile and a big time attitude. Overall, just a great, awesome kid that everyone wanted to get to know. People wanted to be around Jayquon, they wanted to know him, they wanted to stand next to him. He was just a phenomenal
kid.” Coach Turner said.
His Biography Jayquon was the son of Ms. Kennishia Doyle- Anderson and Johnny Johnson, Sr., a Tampa native and attended the public schools of Hillsbor- ough County. He was a starting member of the Brandon High School Bas- ketball Team at the time of
his death.
His father said he loved
basketball, telling jokes, and making people laugh.
“He was loved by his family, Brandon High School, and his Coach, who was his mentor. There is nothing else to say. We just want to grieve in peace.
“We have no hate to- wards anyone, but we want everyone to be held ac- countable. Jayquon has been held accountable and everyone else should be also,” Johnson said.
The Investigation Jayquon died of a gun- shot wound on January 1st. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into the shooting. The only informa- tion that had been released stated that the teenager was at a residence in the 4500 block of Cabbage Palm Drive, in Valrico. The shoot- ing took place at approxi-
mately 1:35 p.m.
Police further stated that
he was transported to a local hospital, where he died a short time later.
The Sheriff’s Office said
in its latest press release, “The shooting appears to have occurred following a confrontation that resulted from a drug transaction.”
Police further stated that the shooter and witnesses were interviewed at the scene and they are confer- ring with the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Of- fice. The investigation is continuing.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A