The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
While police continue to search for a suspect in the weekend shooting death of Isiah Jones, friends and others are paying tribute to the Virginia Beach cheerleader.
The 18-year-old, who cheered at Fame All Stars gym in Virginia Beach, was being remembered on the gym’s Web site as a dedicated athlete and friend.
“Isiah was such a great kid with a huge heart,” Trish Key wrote on the site. “I never remember a time where he didn’t make us all laugh in some way, shape or form. He was everyone’s friend!”
Jones was in the parking lot of Lynnhaven Crossing Shopping Center shortly after 8 p.m. Friday when he was shot and killed, police said. He was waiting for his girlfriend, who works at The Jumpin’ Monkey.
Officers who were sent to the scene on a report of shots fired found Jones, police said. Despite attempts to resuscitate him, he died at the scene.
Witnesses told police that they saw a black male running from the scene toward Lynnhaven Parkway after the shooting, but police said they do not have a detailed description. It was also unclear whether the man running away was a suspect.
Police ask that anyone with information call the Virginia Beach Crime Solvers Office at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
A vigil was held at the gym Sunday night to honor Jones, a senior at Cox High School. Virginia Beach schools are closed for spring break this week, but school officials said counselors will be available to students and staff at Cox when students return April 20.
Jones was born in Guam, according to an obituary sent to The Virginian-Pilot. His parents are Arnold and Tami Jones, and he had two sisters, the obituary said. He lived in the 3700 block of Dupont Circle.
Jones had cheered at Fame for more than seven years, according to the gym’s site. The Fame staff also wrote a tribute to Jones, known as “Shug,” or “Izzy,” to many at the gym.
“If you ever have seen our Large Coed team, you have seen Isiah,” the staff wrote on the site. “He was always a major part of our routines and his signature Kick double was always amazing to watch.”
“He was funny, smart, talented and unforgettable,” the staff wrote. “Isiah has been with us since we opened our doors and we have watched him grow throughout the years.”
Earlier this year, two other Fame cheerleaders died in a car wreck. On Jan. 5, Jimmy Arness Roberson Jr., 20, and Breanne Candera Mahon, 18, were killed when the car they were in went off Interstate 64 and hit a tree.
Roberson had finished a semester at Trinity Valley Community College in Texas, where he had received a cheerleading scholarship. Mahon had been accepted at Virginia Tech and had hoped to make the school’s cheerleading team.
A funeral service for Jones will be held at Wave Church in Virginia Beach at 1 p.m. Thursday. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home Great Neck Chapel in Virginia Beach.
The family is asking that any memorial donations be made to the Isiah M. Jones Memorial Fund. Donations can be made at any Towne Bank location or may be sent to Isiah M. Jones Memorial Fund c/o Linda Gerber, 295 Bendix Road, Suite 170, Virginia Beach, VA 23452.
Virginian-Pilot staff writers Lauren Roth and Lauren King contributed to this report.
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VB Teen Killed
Whether he was an "angel" or not...nobody deserves to be taken like that. Especially not so young. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends.
re: this is not going to stop
I agree with everything you said, but you left out charging the juvenile's parents the same as the juvenile for these senseless killings and throw them in jail also. BTW, I'm a liberal.
First of all condolences to
First of all condolences to the families involved... But why is no one talking about this incident? If this happened in downtown Norfolk it would be on the news for 30 minutes each broadcast and there would have been 500 comments by now talking about how unsafe Norfolk is. Someone would have even thrown in a Portsmouth bash.
It's Time
To look at what causes this. I'd venture Liberal policies that ruined families are a good place to look.
So sad this has happened AGAIN!
This is not going to stop
This is not going to stop until we as a community and as a people speak out and demand that the murderers and criminals start paying the price. The liberals always whine about the rights of the accused yet never remember the victims. All they give is some lame excuses about how society is to blame. I say these criminals should be put away for good. No parole, no excuses. If it was first degree murder, give them the death penalty. Next time you go to the ballot box, remember the victims. The likes of Tim Kaine don't deserve the light of day when it comes to public office. Vote these idiots out so we can appoint judges who will do their job.
RIP Izzy
I agree this is happening way to often with our Young people. We as adults, parents and friends and associates of those who knew the victims of those victims need to make a stand. And to those of you who know have information about such sensless acts of violence. PLEASE tell the authorities. Stop another tragic loss.... I am begging you as a parent, friend and aquantence...
will it ever stop
Every day we read about another shooting and or killing of another juvenile. Will it ever stop? I feel so sorry for this young man's family and friends, for once again we have lost yet another of our youth to gun violence who was just waiting for his girlfreind to get off work.
May God be with you all!
Teen killed at Lynhaven Mall
this is a terrible tragedy that is happening way too often locally. Our prayers go out to this young man's family and friends. I hope that someone will do the right thing and come forward and identify the murderer.