Link shared

Vyshonn Martell Avita

Age 18

Racine, Wisconsin

A sweetheart, father of three, gone

They called the Park High School graduate “Porky” or “Pork Pork.” He was a sweetheart with wild moments, but when he became a father, he settled down.

"He was real goofy. Always playing. I remember every time we would argue, in the middle of our arguments he would just tell me he loves me," said his sister, Breonna Paton.

On Oct. 24, 2018, a neighbor saw a car parked outside before hearing four gunshots. Vyshonn Martell Avitia, 18, was found shot dead on Prospect Street in Racine, Wisconsin.

By Jimmy Rodgers · Age 15
Meet the Reporters

More than 60 young parents

Dwight Manning

A child left without a father

Gage Allan Kiser

He will never meet his child

Joshua Wright

He left behind a newborn son

James Williams

"Goofy" teen liked to dance in public

Aiyonna Clarice Barrett

Her unborn child died with her

Raydale Hill

Can no longer create his music

Ricardo Del Moro

He wanted to protect our borders

Dex Moore

Death of child leaves baby fatherless

Nai’Asalyn Lasha Brown

Nursing degree unfinished, child never born

Doumba Sannoh

Fatal price for the American dream

Des'mon Reyshard Anderson

His baby lost her loving dad

Luis Flores-Bravo

Hardworking father, planning for the future

Carnandez A. Davis

New family never to be whole

Ricky Lamar Green Jr.

His children never saw him box

Jaquincy Jawan Ross

Wanted to buy her a scooter

Chicano Kobe Phillips

A momma’s boy and young father

Kyle McGowan

Without him, loved ones aren’t whole

Steven Alexander Jr.

He missed his first Father’s Day

LaMar De’Shawn Foster

Son will live without his father

Elijah Michael Naranjo

Honor student with plans to enlist