A 57-year-old man gunned down shortly after he left a Forestdale convenience store is being remembered for his work ethic, his humor, and his love for family.
It was just over one week ago that c had finished work for the day and was headed to visit a friend. Instead, authorities say a 16-year-old boy took his life in what family members believe was an attempted robbery.
“It’s senseless,’’ said Knight’s sister, Geleste Knight. “That child should have been on a football field somewhere at that time of day. Why are you out here taking lives? What are you doing with a gun, period?”
“Gun laws need to change,’’ she said. “He had no right to take my brother’s life.”
Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched at 5:40 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, to the 1700 block of Huitt Street on a report of a shooting.
A resident called 911 to report someone had wrecked in the front yard, said Lt. Joni Money. The homeowner went out to check on the driver and found that he’d been shot.
Knight, a father of two daughters and a grandfather, was pronounced dead on the scene at 6:06 p.m.
Earlier today, sheriff’s officials announced a capital murder charge against the teen suspect. His name has not been released because of his age.
The teen is being held in the G. Ross Bell Juvenile Detention Center awaiting an adjudication hearing. He is being held without bond under Aniah’s Law.
Family on Wednesday evening gathered on Huitt Street to remember Knight. They prayed, and released balloons in his honor.
Knight grew up in the Collegeville area and graduated from Carver High School. He was the 10th-born of 11 siblings.
“He was a good man, a hardworking man,’’ his sister said.
His loved ones said loved to cook – especially with mustard on ribs – and he was known for being funny.
“He would have you laughing,’’ his sister said.
He did concrete work construction and would help anybody.
“He would have given (the suspect) a job,’’ said daughter Jasemine Houston. “My daddy would have taken him to work with him and paid him a few dollars.”
“That’s the type of guy he was,’’ Houston said.
Knight’s family is still trying to deal with the shock of his death.
“I feel like my world is over,’’ Houston said. “I feel like a 5-year-old child with nowhere to go.”
“He won’t be forgotten,’’ said Knight’s other daughter, Erica Brown. “Justice will be served.”
