A recent high school graduate, he was on his way to college at the University of the District of Columbia. He worked at a restaurant to pay tuition. He was into boxing. 

He belonged to a nonprofit organization called Horton’s Kids, which helps children in the community. “He always said, ‘Mom, I want to do better,’ ” recalled his mother, Yolanda Pinkney. “He always said, ‘We’re moving.’ ”

Ta Quan Pinkney, 18, was caught in gunfire and killed on his way home on Sept. 9, 2018, after buying a soda from a corner store on Stanton Road in Washington, D.C.

From an early age, he was a caring person. He would always help his grandmother with her chores when he came to visit.

As he got older, he became known as a shy, obedient teen. He never talked back to his elders.

Favian Isiah Carrillo Duran, 16, was shot on July 27, 2018, in Atwater, California, while visiting his cousin. He was flown to a trauma center and died there. His family was still in grief over a cousin, Ezekiel Juan Duran, who was killed in October 2017. “We haven’t even healed from the other one at all,” his uncle said.

A football standout, he wore the number 11 on Fridays. And the crowd roared.

He was Cedar Grove High School’s star athlete, also playing basketball and running track and field. A full scholarship as a wide receiver for Valdosta State University was just two months away.

Trevon Fareed Richardson, 18, was shot and killed outside of a DeKalb County apartment complex on May 28, 2018. The candles they made for him read, “Long live Trey.” During a two-week period in the metro Atlanta area, he was one of five teenagers 18 or younger who died, all at the end of a gun.

The first few months at York College of Pennsylvania reminded him how much he loved his family. In a handwritten letter home, he wrote in blue ink how proud he was of his sister’s grades and asked if she was taking care of their mom while he was away.

He liked listening to Meek Mill and watching NBA games. Friends swapped his last name with “Driver” because he was driven to succeed. Thanksgiving tradition for him was to eat all of the baked mac and ham.

Steven J. “Vetogang Steve” Scott, 18, was shot in York, Pennsylvania, early Friday morning on Nov. 16, 2018.

The chairs were filled with rows of students. She was the honor student, but her mom stood in her place, receiving her hard-earned high school diploma.

She planned to attend the University of Texas at Austin and help cancer patients; she would’ve been the first in her family to graduate from college. She wanted to ease her family’s financial struggles. She spoiled her three sisters but also set an example for them.

On Feb. 24, 2018, NeQuacia Porsha Jacobs-Lewis, 18, was shot in the chest and killed while looking out of her apartment window in Dallas, Texas. Her sister Trameicia was shot but survived.

He was a “momma’s boy” who “loved god,” and was a caring uncle. He was devoted to skateboarding, fishing with his dad, and helping the homeless.

On July 22, 2018, he picked up house keys from his sister. He was on his way to meet his best friend, Joe S. Clerjuste.

Caleb Kendall Bowman, 18, was shot and killed behind a shopping center in Bradenton, Florida during what police said was a drug deal. Clerjuste fled but was found and charged with his murder.

The annual pre-game rivalry between Rider High School and Wichita Falls High School could get serious. Anything from paintball attacks to animal killings and arson might play a role. In 2018, the town put competition aside in the Wichita Falls High School senior’s honor.

She played on the Lady Coyotes soccer team. She was already accepted to Vernon College. She wanted to be a nurse.

On Nov. 3, 2018, Yajaira Garcia, 17, was shot in Wichita Falls, Texas, on her way to taking the SATs. A moment of silence was held at Memorial Stadium during one of the biggest football days of the year to celebrate Yajaira.

He could do it all: His skill set bridged the boundaries between art and science. Nicknamed “the music master,” he wanted to pursue computer science. He dreamed of working for Sony and was set to attend the College of Central Florida in January.

His girlfriend described him as the love of her life. His mother said he made people happy.

Brandon Nash Hammett, 18, was shot and killed near Saddlewood Elementary School in Ocala, Florida, on Oct. 26, 2018, because his customers felt the bag of marijuana he provided was too small. “What a waste over a dime bag of pot,” his father said.

He was a senior with a 3.9 grade point average, first in class to get into college. By early October, he had acceptances from Talladega College and Tennessee State University.

He was a people person, pursuing teaching, “a field in which there is a shortage of black men.” Then his mentor at Butler College Prep got “the call” he dreaded. “It hurts like hell,” he said.

James Garrett, 18, was shot in the back on Oct. 6, 2018, at a vigil for a friend in Chicago, Illinois. Two days later, 675 people mourned him at the memorial Butler held in his honor.

He was a bull rider, registered at Chadron State College and planning to join the competitive rodeo team in fall 2018. A Facebook post shows him in a white hat and black leather chaps, sitting on the chute as if he’s ready to ride.

His 19th birthday was two months away. Football, fishing, basketball and hunting consumed him. He was an outdoorsman at heart.        

Colton J. Jensen, 18, died of a gunshot wound on May 23, 2018, in Kearney, Nebraska. Loup County Attorney Jason White said three people had witnessed the shooting and that it was accidental.