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Darion Gordon

Age 16

Rockford, Illinois

Sixteen years erased by one bullet

Nicknamed “Lil Foe,” he was a rapper, producer and hip-hop artist who attended Thomas Jefferson High School. His friends recalled memories of dancing together and referred to him as “the type to make you laugh when you [were] down.”

He adopted the rapper name “Lil Snow” and posted his last song on his Soundcloud account a year ago. In one song, Humble, he said, “I know God got me, so I never trip. Put the gun down, ball up your fist.”

Darion Gordon, 16, was accidentally shot in the 1100 block of Fairview Avenue in Rockford, Illinois, on May 12, 2018.

By Taylor Fang · Age 16
Meet the Reporters

More than 100 jokesters

Natwan Kian Holyfield

Supposed to go to homecoming, prom

Kaiden Vague

Sixteenth birthday. Golden birthday. Last birthday.

Eric Xavier Degori

His jokes could make anyone laugh

Will Earl Davis Jr.

The rising senior was always smiling

Rashiya Melton

Joins brother, leaves behind her twin

Edgar Alan Espino

Jokester loved to make people laugh

Daron Johnson

He went to celebrate another’s life

Jayvone J. Shackelford-Bishop

Friends together like Lilo & Stitch

Deandre Moon

Overnight tragedy for a basketball fan

Terale Claridy-Vaught

‘Solid’ friend barely gets to adulthood

Robert Carranza

He liked to post song lyrics

Amauri Green

Died while fixing a flat tire

Eddie Daiquan Grant

A devoted boyfriend and rap fan

Bryan Portales Escalante

Phone, wallet, shoes and, life — gone

Steven Alexander Jr.

He missed his first Father’s Day

Jonathan David Freeman Jr.

Debated anything, from music to Deflategate

Matthew James Jurado

Challenging student had a compassionate heart

Ryan J. Dillon

A playful boy, stopped by bullets

Manuel Lopez Jr.

High school senior set to graduate

Domoni Gaither

He had a bright white smile