NORCROSS, Ga.,None — On Monday, the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner told Channel 2 Action News a 15-year-old boy gunned down by men who broke into his home died from a single gunshot to the chest.
Despite the autopsy results, investigators remain in the dark about the motive for the attack.
Meanwhile, the community at Norcross High School is trying to find a way to say goodbye to freshman Nick Jackson while keeping his memory alive.
"Just a great kid. He was at school every day. He worked hard. He did the extra stuff you needed to do to be a fine young man," head football coach Keith Maloof told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh.
Maloof said the "extra stuff" earned Jackson a spot on the varsity football team by the end of last season.
But to the Norcross High community, the 15-year-old was much more than a football player.
"His smile was contagious. You'd see him in line at the lunch room. I'd see him on the practice field," Maloof said.
Maloof said Nick's teammates now face their biggest challenge yet.
On Thursday, Norcross police arrested six men they said were involved in a home invasion at Nick's home Autry Street. Shots were fired. A single bullet pierced Nick's chest.
Police said officers caught up with the men in a minivan not far from the home.
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They said there was a lot of evidence inside the van, including several hand guns, but a motive escaped them.
On Monday, investigators remained tight-lipped about any new information they may have learned while processing evidence over the weekend.
Maloof said right now his priority is his team.
"We try to teach our young men, you try to rise above," Maloof said.
That includes honoring Nick's memory. All ninth-grade players and coaches signed his jersey. They will give one to his mother and hang another in their locker room.
"Take a little bit of Nick with you everywhere you go, and if there's to be any good that come of this, it's that we're all going to be better people because of it," Maloof said.
The six suspects are in the Gwinnett County Jail charged with burglary and felony murder. They are expected back in court on Friday.
Also Friday, a wake for Nick will be held at 7 p.m. at the Donald Trimble Mortuary in Decatur. His funeral will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church is Norcross.
WSBTV
