Hundreds mourn slain Highland Springs student, leaders call for end to violence

Hundreds gathered at Highland Springs High School on Monday evening to mourn the death of Jaheim “Jah” Dickerson, a 16-year-old student at the school who was shot and killed early Saturday in Eastern Henrico.

Dickerson was a standout player on the state-champion Springers’ basketball team. His friends, family and teammates described him as bright, fun, loving and loyal, with an infectious smile and an intense competitive spirit.

His mother, Jennifer, said her son will be laid to rest in the No. 1 jersey he planned to wear next season, which teammates gave her Monday evening.

They moved from New York to Virginia to give Jah a better life, his mother said. She worked hard to become a nurse and do everything she could to provide for him.

“He was my world,” she said. “It just hurts that I moved out here to give him a better life, and he winds up being taken away from me.”

Dickerson’s basketball coach, Reggie Tennyson, described him as a fierce competitor who showed up to practice everyday with a desire to be great and work hard.

“Our program will always radiate because of Jah,” Tennyson said. “He was a tremendously warm-hearted person; never had an unkind word to say to any coach, player, any teacher.”

A call to stop the violence

The hundreds of people at the vigil repeated the words “too many” in unison. Too many funerals, too many bullets in neighbors, too many teenagers dying.

Highland Springs High School Principal Ken White, who has been in his role for four years, urged the community to come together to stop the violence.

“The senselessness, the gun violence, the fighting in our community has to stop. I’m tired of burying kids,” White said. “People have a whole lot to say about Highland Springs, a whole lot to say about the East End. We as a community have to do better. Once we stand up and do better as a community, we will move forward. I firmly believe that.”

School athletic director Harry Lee Daniel told the crowd not to let Dickerson be another name to move on from.

“Not this time. Not this young man,” he said. “Burying someone shouldn’t be common practice in our community.”

Law enforcement looks for answers

The shooting occurred early Saturday morning on Glenwilton Drive, and as of Monday a suspect had not yet been identified.

“Somebody shot our brother, and whoever that person is is still out there,” said Varina District Supervisor Tyrone Nelson. “If you really love this brother, you need to say something. I don’t know if the person is listening or watching or may even be amongst us.”

Henrico Police Chief Eric English and Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor said they are committed to finding the suspect and urged anyone who has information to come forward.

“We're gonna give this community answers for how and why,” Taylor said. “Not solving [the problem of gun violence in the community] is not an option. It may not happen tomorrow, but it's gonna happen because we are all committed for this young man's life not to be lost in vain.”