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Stefan L. Medina

Age 17

Utica, New York

Positive teen with an open heart

He was a lovable teen with positive dreams. He was  “athletic by nature” and walked or rode his bike most everywhere. When it came to hair, “he had his own style.”

He worked at A&P Master Images, a printing and graphic design company. His uncle Fernando had photos of him as a baby with a big smile and a bib that read, “I Love My Grandpa.” Years later, Fernando would honor his nephew with flowers.

Stefan L. Medina, 17, was shot and killed on Aug. 19, 2018, in Utica, New York.

By Caroline Lobel · Age 15
Meet the Reporters

More than 300 athletes

Brandon Nathan Tyson

Friday night lights end in tragedy

Jayden Fondeur

His older brother found him first

Jontae Billups-Brooks

An athlete and a music lover

Elisha Amon Cole

Dreaming big, working on his portfolio

Kendrick D. Davis

Not quite clear on his dreams

Taveon Donte' Brooks

Basketball point guard, would-be rapper

Natwan Kian Holyfield

Supposed to go to homecoming, prom

Ricky Lamar Green Jr.

His children never saw him box

Ra’Quan Darius Jones

Didn’t get to see his GED

Sharon Castro

She always helped those who struggled

Jovontia Antonio Jones

A runner grieved by seven siblings

Orlando Myron Anderson Jr.

He was so full of life

Ta Quan Pinkney

Bright future; gone too soon

Vicente Valero III

He was a modern Renaissance man

Ray Glasgow III

Bench wears jersey instead of captain

James Alexzander Shorter

He’ll never taste grandma’s cookies again

Avi Liam Franco

He loved to learn and explore

Zyhame Kila Jones

An artist, basketball player and car-lover

Lorenzo Moore-Vaughn

About to start his senior year

Jeremiah Ascencio

Last moments spent cradling his brother