JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The community gathered Friday to honor an 18-year-old who was killed in a double shooting while trying to break up a fight at his job between his co-worker and another man.
Matthew Jackson was shot almost two weeks ago at a Burger King on the Westside after he intervened when one of his co-workers and another man were fighting. His co-worker was also shot but survived.
Jackson’s family only moved to Jacksonville about eight months ago and within that time, he made a great impact on his community. His mother, Natasha Jackson, shared what he was like with his friends.
“He was always that person they would go to uplift them,” she said. “If they’re having a problem, he would try to talk you through it, give you some advice, always tell you to go pray.”
She also talked about what he meant to her.
“He was my everything,” She said. “He was my cooking partner, he was my praying partner. We would go to church together, pretty much everything.”
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MAD DAD’s organized the vigil. A.J. Jordan, the Vice President, said it’s a blessing to see so many people support Jackson’s family.
“It’s a sad occasion because this young man had a lot going for him. He was a good student at school. He was a good worker at Burger King and he’s on his way to the Marines. So this is a great loss to Jacksonville as a whole.”
Jackson’s grandfather, Elston, shared that Matthew always wanted to help. He was overwhelmed by the community support.
“It made me cry because to see all the love that people have for him,” he said. “Not only him having for them, but for them to show up and show the love and the support from his school, from his job, from the coaches, the Marines, everybody showed up because of the love that they had for him.”
At the end of the vigil, Jordan reminded everyone in the circle that sometimes it’s better to call for help rather than physically getting involved.
“I’ll encourage the community when you see something happening, people fighting or whatever, just call JSO, stand down,” Jordan said.
His mother knows her son had a protective nature, which is why it’s difficult for her to try getting mad about what happened to him.
“Mental health is important,” she said. “It wasn’t the gun, it was the person behind the gun. My son was a big advocate for change. Change your mindset, change your life.”
His grandfather said when he thinks of Matthew, he thinks of nonviolence, love and happiness.
“Everybody just needs to put the guns down, stop the violence, and that’s all he wanted. He wanted peace and for everybody to get along and be happy,” said Jackson.
According to the arrest report, 28-year-old Dawud Burritt fought with Ray Cummings, a former friend and Burger King co-worker.
JSO said Cummings and Burritt used to be friends but had a falling out.
Police said Burritt shot and killed Jackson and also shot Cummings, who is recovering.
Burritt was arrested the next morning and faces second-degree murder charges.
According to JSO’s database, 11 teenagers have been murdered in Jacksonville so far this year. Five of them were 18-year-olds — including Jackson.
Jackson’s funeral is Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at T.S. Warden on Main Street in Jacksonville. It is open to the public for anyone who wants to pay their respects.