Student fatally shot at Arlington Lamar High School identified by family in GoFundMe

A 16-year-old student who was fatally shot outside of Lamar High School in Arlington on Monday is being remembered as “a friendly, quiet kid” who loved his family, sports and video games.

A GoFundMe account, organized by a cousin of the victim who died, identified him as Ja’Shawn Poirier.

Ja’Shawn “made friends easily and had quite a few of them who loved him. He enjoyed video games, football, sport outings and just hanging out with friends and family,” wrote Na’Jai Jacob, Poirier’s cousin and the GoFundMe organizer. “This loss has taken a toll on our family and I know it hits hard for families that have been through this same situation. I pray for us all. Thank you for any donations you provide.”

Two students, Poirier and a teenage girl, were shot by a classmate on the campus of Lamar High School about 40 minutes before classes were supposed to begin Monday morning, police said. Poirier was taken to a hospital in critical condition and died less than two hours later from shotgun wounds to the head and chest, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Poirier’s mother, Roshone Jacob, told WFAA-TV that the family moved to North Texas from Michigan eight months ago.

Ja’Shawn “was a nice, sweet, kind boy who just liked to play sports and hang around his friends and family. He didn’t bother nobody,” Jacob told WFAA.

“For this to happen to him is devastating,” the mother said. “I’m still trying to wrap my mind around this situation. Even though I’ve seen him, it’s still like, I’m in disbelief.”

The girl, who police said was under 17 years old, suffered a graze injury to her cheek and was treated at a hospital.

The identity of the 15-year-old suspect, who faces a capital murder charge, is not being released by police because of his age. At his first court appearance on Tuesday afternoon, the suspect was ordered to be detained at the Tarrant County Juvenile Detention Center.

Police said they believe the suspect was targeting at least one of the victims, who were sitting close to the school steps, but the motive for the shooting remains under investigation.

Of a $15,000 goal, more than $14,000 had been raised for Poirier’s funeral expenses as of Tuesday night.

Two prayer vigils were held Tuesday night for Poirier and the Lamar High community. The first vigil was at 6:15 p.m. at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 2100 N. Davis Drive. The second prayer service was at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary at New World United Methodist Church at 2201 N. Davis Drive.