PORTSMOUTH
Norcom wide receiver Rashawn “Peanut” Finney, an 18-year-old senior who was shot seven times at a party two weeks ago, died Friday morning from his injuries.
Finney is the fourth football player from South Hampton Roads to be killed by gunfire in 2008. Another player, former Salem standout Kevin Whaley, was shot and injured.
“It’s just a tough situation,” said Norcom football coach Larry Archie, who addressed his team for nearly 30 minutes Friday morning. “ I have to put my emotions on the back burner for the sake of my team because I know there are a lot of young men who are hurting.
“They’re looking for some strength and I have to be there. I’m hurting, too. But I have to be strong for my players and my coaches as well.”
Finney’s mother, Desiree, said her son seemed to be doing better earlier in the week but that his condition worsened on Thursday. He had been unconscious and on a ventilator since the night he was shot.
Jarrel Dufore Eldridge, 23, was arrested in connection with the shooting and charged with malicious wounding, using a gun during a felony and use or possession of a gun by a convicted felon. Upgraded charges were pending for him.
Finney’s team was set to play Maury on Friday, but two separate incidents forced Norfolk Public School officials to postpone that night’s football games to this afternoon, said Michael Spencer, chief of operations for Norfolk schools. Spencer did not characterize the incidents, but said one happened in the Granby area of the city and another happened in the Maury section.
After consulting with Norfolk police, they decided it was best not to play any games on Friday night, Spencer said.
The Norcom-Maury game, which will be Maury’s homecoming, will be played today at 1 p.m. at Powhatan Field; the Granby-Booker T. Washington game will be played at 2 p.m. at Norview High School; and Churchland will play at Lake Taylor at 2 p.m.
Archie and others had heard Thursday night that Finney had died but that doctors were able to revive him.
“I had heard (Thursday) night that he had passed then almost a minute later we heard that he was stable,” said Norcom athletic director Oronde Andrews.
Archie said he hopes his teammates remember Finney as a hard worker.
“He’s the kind of kid who wanted to run one more dash and then afterward he would say, 'Thanks coach for the workout,’” Archie said. “He was the captain this year but he’s been the leader of the team for two years. He wasn’t the most gifted kid but he worked so hard.”
Linebacker Demontray Ryland said he was with Finney the night before he was shot.
“He was like a brother to me,” he said. “He was a role model for me. If it weren’t for him, I don’t think we’d be 4-0 right now. He was the one everybody listened to because he was the voice of our team.”
Linebacker Michael Terrell said, “Words can’t describe the type of anger and pain we’re feeling. We want to know why this happened to us and why it had to happen to our captain, to the person who kept us together.”
Archie said he has spoken to many people, including Lake Taylor coach Hank Sawyer, on how to help his team grieve. Former Titan player Derrius Walton was shot and killed earlier this year.
“My thing is to be a rock for them,” Archie said. “That’s what Rashawn Finney was for this team. This guy was my rock, too.”
Maury football coach John Quinerly said he and his team were caught totally off-guard by the games’ postponements. He said he didn’t learn until 3 p.m., when many of the players were already getting dressed.
“It’s very frustrating because now you have to get the kids’ morale back up that we had built it up all week,” he said. “Then we just got out of a pep rally and the kids were real hyped and on cloud nine. Now we have to bring them in early in the morning to get them pumped up and focused again.”
Quinerly said he also understood why.
Booker T. Washington coach Ron Bolton said he was looking forward to playing at home but now the game is being moved to Norview High School, a neutral site.
“So it’s kind of a letdown, but I’m trying to look at it in a positive way for us in that we have an extra day to prepare,” he said.
Funeral arrangements weren’t available at press time.
Larry Rubama, (757) 446-2273,larry.rubama@pilotonline.com
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I lost my lil cousin Derrius
I lost my lil cousin Derrius Wu-Wu Walton earlier this year outside a Phoenix AZ niteclub. He was the starting safety on the team and was one year away from transferring to a major division one school. It is sad that yet again we lose one of our athletes to some bull. My condolences goes out to the family of this young man. There has to be new laws passed anyone with me on this, The law would consist of anyone non military or police under the age of 24 found with a gun, will be charged with a felony, and any ammo, a year per round. We are not only losing innocent althletes, we're losing innocent youths everyday, it has to stop soon. To the family I feel your pain, being thru it, but remember you have support from The Odom-Walton family.
IF
he didn't play football would it matter?
I know one major problem:
Taxpayers spend money to have gymnasiums built, and then the gyms are closed for much of the year. All gymnasiums should be open, 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year. Then, when it's midnight on a Saturday evening, teenagers would have something to do: play basketball. Instead, as it is now, they have nothing to do, and they have to create things to do. You know what that leads to...............................
Why are elementary school, middle school, and high school gymnasiums locked up on Sunday afternoons in the summer? At night in April? However, the police station and the ER are always open. Something is wrong here.
Player's Death
I read, with sadness, the account of the death of another young person.
I was astounded at the attitude of the coaches of, both, Maury and Booker T. Washington. They both need to get a grip. It is a GAME. Moving the games for safety seems a small inconvenience. I would bet that the players didn't mind, at all. I am sure it made perfect sense to the parents.
Norcom Football player's untimely death
God Hears All Cries
If I could fly I’d take you under my wings,
Just to comfort you as your pain brings.
Even tears to my own eyes,
But brothers and sisters, God hears all cries.
And although we don’t have all the answers to this world that we live,
Just know God takes from us as well as he gives.
And sometimes we question his techniques and his ways,
But he gives us the answers through our prayers and our praise.
Your pain I know unbearable this is no question,
Just confess it to the Lord as he heals through confessions.
For your prayers are heard, and he is always there,
He knows your limits and how much you can bear.
Through each of our trials, God does have a plan,
We have to build our relationship with him to better understand.
And although we may weep and often ask why,
Brothers and sisters, just remember God hears all cries.
JW
go ahead and blame the firearms
-rather than taking responsibility for raising irrational killers.
People like this just don't "happen", but one could understand those responsible shifting the blame to an inanimate object.
when will it stop
I am very sorry for the family and friends of "PEANUT", I lost a son through youth violence one day short of his 18th birthday. I can truly understand what this mother & father is dealing with at this moment, and I wish them the best. Be strong and stay focused. The violence has to stop. Our youth is destroying our next generation, the sad thing about it all is that it is happening all over the country, city by city. It has to come to a stop. The question is how do you stop it. Mr & Mrs finney stay strong and leave everything in the LORDS hand. Be blessed.
TOO TOO FAMILIAR
As a Norcom mother, I had to leave work to get my girls and listen to them sob in the back seat...horrible. About a month ago, we made a similiar trip to Sentara with a totally different outcome...this friend survived.
I thought I had prepared myself for the worst a week ago and was still floored when I got the call.
My heart instantly broke for his twin..a sweet and respectable young man.
We need to watch our kids more carefully. We have to protect them from the kids who parents dont care if they are at a teenage party with a loaded weapon.
Unfortunately, this is TOO TOO FAMILIAR and TOO TOO SAD.
Dez, stay stronge, pray, pray and pray again. And CONCENTRATE on others that are hurting with you. I will continue to pray for you.
accountability
Once again another young life was snuffed out by crime within the community. And also once again I have yet to hear the local NAACP chapter speak out and DEMAND that the violence come to an end. This HAS to happen each time a senseless crime like this happens. It seems to me that the only time they get involved is when the crime involves someone else to point the finger at. I would believe in their cause if they wouldn't pick and choose in which crimes to support and not. My condolences to the family and friends.
May you rest in peace.
As a teacher at Norcom I can tell you first hand RaShawn was a good kid. Always respectful, always polite, strong in the classroom, and very determined to make it in life. Yesterday was a very sad day, we lost a member of the Greyhound family. My thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family. I have had the pleasure of teaching two of these boys, and they have been brought up in a good way. Another one lost way too young.
What is happening?
To the family and friends of this young my, my depest heartfelt condolences to you. We all must seriously take a look at what is happening to our youth today. How in the world did we ever get to this point where the youth of our nation has decided that the only solution to a problems is with a gun. This young man will never feel the warmth of the sun on his face anymore, will never hear the laughter of children playing, will not have the opportunity to experience all the joys and sorrows of life. Children of this nation...WAKE UP! Life is to short and to precious to throw away on a meaningless dispute. To the man who killed this young person, you took the life of a person who could have found the cure for cancer, could have become the leader of this nation, could have saved your life one day...but you took it upon yourself to deny him his God given right to exist and now we all may pay for your stupidity. We can all
The sad thing is
the violence is not going to stop. Yesterday in my neighborhood of Park View 100+ kids converged for a memorial. It had nothing to do with a memorial, they were playing in peoples yards, peeking in their windows and making out with their girlfriends. It was just an excuse to make trouble. In fact the police had to be called to break it up. Parents need to take responsibility for their children, why were that many kids able to be missing from their homes after school???? Why are they allowed to be out after 11:00 p.m.? Their is NOTHING that a teenager is doing after 11:00 p.m. that is good. Stop having kids if you aren't going to be responsible for them!!!! Make sure you know what they are doing every minute. Don't expect the schools and churches to raise your children - that's your job and it tough sometimes.
shocked?
Shocked about player's death? News Flash! Guns Kill! So what is there to be shocked about? These kind of tragedies happen daily and still people are shocked! What is shocking; however, is that the killers will be out of prison and back to the streets in no time!
Guns, Guns, and more Guns
Why don't the cops find these parties and raid them? Put them on the wall and shake down the guns the kids are carrying. There is bound to be underage drinking, drug use, and plenty of minor girls there.
No.
"Another senseless death, by another senseless gun"
A man pulled the trigger- the question is, who has raised, now, generations of people who kill senselessly and without remorse.
The community is devastated? No, the community is numb to these frequent occurrences.
tragic loss
Heartfelt condolences to the family and friends who have lost a young man whom I have heard nothing but good things about.
This is a loss to all in our community.
god knows best
My prays go out to Dez and her family take God hand he will heel your broken heart only he can keep your faith
May God Wrap You In His Arms
My heart and prayers go out to the family. Last year my son, Bryan Williams was murdered in Churchland. There is nothing anyone can say right now to ease your pain, but just know that God have you safe in his arms and is there to comfort you. Mom, your son is resting in peace now. I know it seems too soon, but be thankful for the time you had with him. Just look up and talk to him and remember his smile and laughter. God bless and keep you. Val Williams
Very sad.
A young life lost much too soon. My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family. ~Rest in Peace.
nonsense
Ignorance should be defined in this case of Rashawn's death! No words can replace the lost of your child for someone's act of cowardness! Dez I hope you can find comfort from within your family to overcome this terrible lost, because heaven has just received another star athlete before his time! Much love to you and family with warmest regards, Lil Tony
my thoughts and prayers go
my thoughts and prayers go out to the family in such a tragic time...
everyone that follows youth sports in the area know that Mr. Finney's mother has always been supportive in every aspect of her kids life... I dont personally know the family; however, Mrs. Finney has always been the life at her kids sporting events.... keep your head up.........
My Deepest Sympathy
This is devestating to the community as a whole. It is my understanding that he was trying to break up a fight and became the victim. Everyone lost...especially this young man's family.
Another young athlete killed
My heart-felt condolences and prayers for the family, friends, school, and team players of Finney. It's a crying shame that another young athlete has fallen prey to another act of senseless violence in our community.
I will miss you!
My heart and prayers goes out to the family and friends of Peanut. He will truly be missed. Just know that he got his wings and he will hurt no more.
This tragedy
could have been prevented. Curfews have a purpose! Parents need to comply with the law.
Leave Norfolk and Portsmouth Public and inner-cities Schools Now
If you are a wealthy parent take your kids to a private school or home school now. I have a aunt who works at a elementary school in Norfolk and I did not want her to work in that school. The reason is crime, low education levels, poor, and dangerous. Think goodness I live in Virginia Beach and soon to NOVA!! Schools are way better there.
Greyhound Mom
I am a Greyhound Mom. I am deeply saddened by this news. Please keep the students in your prayers, this is very hard on young people.
Condolences
I'm really sorry to hear that, esp. since I thought he was on the road to recovery. My deepest prayers and thoughts go out to the Finney family, along with his teammates/coaches and classmates at Norcom High School.
so sad
Another senseless death, by another senseless gun. My heart goes out to the family and friends.