
TOWNVILLE, S.C. — A 6-year-old boy who died after a teen
gunman opened fire at a South Carolina elementary school will be
remembered Wednesday as a superhero.
Jacob Hall's family has encouraged people to dress as superheroes to celebrate what he enjoyed.
"We want to honor Jacob, celebrate Jacob, in a way he would
love," his great-aunt, Rebecca Hunnicutt, told the Anderson
Independent.
His funeral comes a week
after authorities say a 14-year-old boy killed his own father before
driving a pickup to Townville Elementary School and crashing into a
playground fence. Jacob, a classmate and a first-grade teacher were
struck by bullets as they left for recess. That student and teacher were
treated and released from a hospital later that day.
A bullet struck Jacob in a main artery in his thigh, and he was airlifted to a Greenville hospital, where he died Saturday.
Supporters
released hundreds of balloons Sunday in his honor following a prayer
service at Oakdale Baptist Church, where the funeral will be held in
this small rural town near the Georgia border.
People packed the church Tuesday evening for Jacob's
visitation, many of them wearing superhero costumes and T-shirts. At the
front, large posters show Jacob as Superman and being held by Jesus.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles stickers decorated his blue casket, and
"God's Super Hero" is written inside. Superheroes in his floral spray
include the Ninja turtles and Captain America. He is dressed as Batman,
another favorite. Life-size balloons of superheroes around the church
include Batman.
Family members said Jacob told them he was out saving Townville as others slept.
"He loved anything to do with goodness," Jacob's mother, Renae
Hall, told WYFF (http://bit.ly/2drFQvL). "He loved anything to do with
being able to help somebody. That's why I say Jacob was going to make a
difference and he still is going to make a difference."
Students won't return to Townville Elementary until Thursday.
But
the district's other five schools will honor Jacob by participating in
Superhero Day. All employees and students are invited to come to school
in costume, and any who want to attend the 11 a.m. funeral are excused,
said District Superintendent Joanne Avery.
Townville teachers will take a bus to the funeral and wear superhero capes, she said.
A moment of silence will be observed at 1:42 p.m. district-wide, marking one week since the shooting.
According to a Facebook page created for Superhero Day, schools across the state are participating.
The
14-year-old teenager faces two murder charges in the deaths of his
father and Jacob. He is also charged with three counts of attempted
murder, as well as five counts of possession of a weapon during the
commission of a violent crime.
Local media report a replica of the Batmobile will be at Jacob's funeral.