School raises money for family of murdered teen

Topic: School Shooting

St. Louis, MO - At Roosevelt High School Friday afternoon, students completed a week-long fund-raising effort to help pay funeral expenses for Jade Hamilton, a student who was shot and killed Sunday night.

Investigators said Hamilton, 16, was talking to a friend in Mount Pleasant Park when three people rounded a corner and began shooting. Roosevelt Principal Terry Houston said Jade has been on the minds and in the hearts of students ever since.

"It was real simple," said Houston. "I told students every day that you come into this building try to put something in the pot that will go towards the Hamilton family. Because we want to show them not through talking, but through our walk. Because what we do speaks so loudly. What we say sometimes people can't hear, especially when you're in a situation like the Hamiltons."

Hamilton's mother, Kim, was on hand to receive the check for nearly $1,700.

Hamilton said she's been in touch with school officials nearly every day since Tuesday, when she went to the school to clean out her daughter's locker.

"And it is just unreal. Unbelievable," said Hamilton, of the students' fund-raising efforts. "Never expected anything like this. It means the world to me to know that people care like this."

St. Louis police said there have been no arrests in the Jade Hamilton case, but investigators continue to follow-up on leads. Anyone with information in the case is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS. Callers may be eligible for up to a $1,000 cash reward. All calls are anonymous.

02/28/2011

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