JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A stranger has come forward to celebrate the life of a murdered teen in Jacksonville. The Chicago-based benefactor put up a billboard for Rashaud Fields on Wednesday after hearing of his tragic death.
Rashaud Fields was murdered just hours after graduating from Raines High School with a full scholarship to Keiser University for football. His mother said that it was one of the hardest moments of her life.
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“He walked on the aisle and all he was hollering was ‘53 big dude, big dude ‘53 Rashaud Fields.’ And to get a phone call hours later… to say that he was gone, it was hard.”
His family said that Fields worked hard for everything he had in life. Tony, another family member, said the billboard demonstrated one aspect of Fields’ life: “It’s giving us… he made it. Something he was very passionate about — making it.”
The billboard, titled “The life of Rashaud Fields,” will be up for three to six months, to remind everyone that gun violence needs to end.
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Councilmember Reggie Gaffney said that everyone should be reminded of one thing.
“They want everyone person that rides by here to remember that life can be taken real quick,” he said.
“I hope this is a learning lesson for the young kids out here with the guns to stop the violence. It’s got to stop,” his mother added.
Family, friends, and community members came to the field tonight to view the billboard and celebrate his life. His mother said that it was an honor to see her son’s name mean something to the other kids in the area, as well as hopefully convince them to put their guns down.
“I was so grateful. Thankful for that guy that came along and said he was going to do a billboard to keep his legacy going.”
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