Superhero funeral to honor 6-year-old fatally shot at school

Published 10:16 am Wednesday, October 5, 2016

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-Mail.

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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.