Memorial held for former Morgan Park HS baseball player killed in Atlanta shooting

CHICAGO (WLS) — To anybody who knew him, Jatonne Sterling was a champion by way of and thru.

Simply ask his teammates, his coach, or his household.

“At all times had the most effective vitality ever,” stated teammate and greatest pal Michael Eaton. “He was such a staff participant, he was by no means egocentric.”

Morgan Park HS baseball staff mourn former participant shot, killed whereas away at school

“Certainly one of my greatest gamers that I’ve ever had,” stated Morgan Park Excessive College Coach Ernest Radcliffe.

“Should you ever consider me, when you ever consider my son, bear in mind there may be someone that we will push for to be who and keep on what he was making an attempt to do in life,” stated his mom Lori Tucker.

Sterling will not get an opportunity to stay out the life he was creating. On February 28 Atlanta police stated they discovered him fatally shot inside a automobile close to Clark Atlanta College campus, the place he was a sophomore on a baseball scholarship.

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“This was not a random murder,” stated Atlanta Police Deputy Chief C. Hampton. “Sadly, Jatonne knew this particular person.”

Atlanta police have since arrested Sterling’s accused killer. His homicide stings particularly exhausting on the Morgan Park baseball discipline.

“My son’s life is greater than simply me, and larger than simply him and larger than simply this discipline,” Tucker stated. “We now have to permit him to stay on, not simply by way of our remembrances, however our work.”

When the Mustangs baseball season kicks off for the spring, it will likely be devoted to Jatonne Sterling, who was a part of the 2021 championship staff. His household can be making a fund to assist foster the futures of different younger gamers.