JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Raines High School graduate and football star was gunned down in the Highlands neighborhood just hours after walking across the stage to get his diploma Monday.
Family members said Rashaud Fields, 18, had just signed on for a four-year scholarship to play at Keiser University in South Florida. He had hopes of one day signing with the NFL.
“He’s like a big teddy bear. He’s a jokester. Loves to laugh. Loves to play,” Kizzy James, Rashaud’s cousin, said. “If you saw Rashaud, you saw him with family. That’s it. But now it hits home. It hits family. This gun violence has got to stop.”
The teen’s murder marks the 54th in Jacksonville, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office transparency page. This time last year, there were 43.
“We want our children, our youth, our Black and brown youth to know that who I smoke, who I kill, who I shoot... you don’t just kill the individual. You kill the whole community. And we all are hurting right now,” Nahshon Nicks, a family friend and concerned citizen, said.
Family told Action News Jax’s Robert Grant that Fields was headed to pick up his friends from a graduation party when he was killed on Pine Estates Road. Officers said it happened around 10 p.m. Monday.
Keiser University Flagship Campus President Gary Vonk provided this statement after learning about Fields’ murder:
“We’re deeply saddened to learn about the death of Raines High School graduate Rashaud Fields. He was a bright young man who had hopes of continuing his education and football career at Keiser University. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends and offer to provide any assistance or support needed during this difficult time.”
JSO did not announce any suspect information. Family members plead with the community to speak up.
“Rashaud loved everybody. He loved his family and especially his parents,” James said.
Our prayers and condolences to the family, friends and classmates of Viking Rashaud Fields, Class of 2022.
— Raines National Alumni Association (@RainesAlumni) May 24, 2022
-William M. Raines National Alumni Association pic.twitter.com/rzVlDEbAaS
Anyone with information is asked to call JSO at (904) 630-0500 or Crime Stoppers at (866) 845-TIPS.
This is a developing story.
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