The community is coming together in the wake of a tragic shooting that left a child critically wounded and rocked a packed Pleasantville High School football game.
“This a problem that came to us,” Pleasantville Police Chief Sean Riggin said of an apparent street beef that played out surrounded by innocent bystanders.
“We’ve bounced back before,” said local resident Lonniyell, who led a prayer vigil in front of Pleasantville High School on Saturday. “We’re a bounce back community. We’re bounce back nation.”
The woman who has adopted the last name “For the Community” promised not to stop bringing people together, including a walk planned for next Saturday.
Meanwhile, others are rallying around the family of the wounded child and the football players left devastated by the events.
The unfinished playoff game against Camden High School is set to be completed at a neutral undisclosed location Wednesday. It will be a quiet event, with fans unable to attend.
But a group is making sure Pleasantville’s players know they have a support system, even if they can’t be there to cheer them on.
Resident Levar Smith has started a GoFundMe page to have hoodies printed showing the community’s support. The players would wear them to and from the game to know the community is with them, he explained.
“When we all found out that there won’t be any fans at the rescheduled game, I felt my heart drop,” he said.
“So, I felt like this was a great way to send a message to the Greyhound football team and organization by making hoodies for them to wear to and from that game,” he explained. “It’s tough not having anybody cheering for you but with this symbolic hoodie made I want them to feel the love and know that we all are rooting for them. They will know that the community and the city of Pleasantville is there in spirit through the hoodies.”
Javier Alex Garcia at Poseidon Customs is donating his time and materials to make the hoodies.
“I’m real big about my community,” said the resident who has been part of the football and track staff for the past five years. “
“I’m very big on making these kids understand that the world has more to offer you than just Pleasantville,” he said.
When he heard Smith’s idea, he was on board.
Any extra funds collected will go to the family of the wounded child, Micah.
“After the tragedy that took place and everything that is on the line for the young men, they know that this is bigger than a game for everyone,” Smith said. “And that’s the message we are sending: ‘bigger than a game.’”
