CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools staff and students are wearing black Friday in honor of an Ardrey Kell High School student killed last weekend at her friend’s south Charlotte home.
Police said 15-year-old Jenna Hewitt was killed early Sunday morning when 23-year-old John Bocek forced his way into her friend's south Charlotte home and shot her during a sleepover.
On Tuesday, students painted the rock outside the school with the words “Fly High Jenna.” On Friday, Channel 9 crews observed people placing flowers on the school sign.
Student Luke Drago, who lives a few streets away from the house where Hewitt was killed, said his sister was close to Hewitt and has seen how deeply her murder has shaken the school.
"It's been rough for the whole community this week," Drago said. "It's just been such an unreal thing for this to happen. There are senseless killings every day, but to have one hit so close to home and on top of that, have this degree of absolutely pointless, there was no reason this should've happened."
Classmates said the sophomore at Ardrey Kell was an athlete who loved being a part of the school’s swim team and hockey team.
Counselors have been trying to help classmates grieve this week but some said they are still upset this happened to students who never should’ve had to worry about anything but homework.
"It's going to take a long time for us to be able to pick up stuff up and put it back together. I think the community just needs time to mourn," Drago said.
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Bocek also shot and killed her friend's father, Matthew Chaplin, before killing himself.
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Hewitt’s friend, 16-year-old Kathleen Chaplin, survived and was able to run to a neighbor’s house to call 911. She was the only survivor.
Hewitt's funeral is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Harris United Methodist Church in Pineville. Her family will greet friends at 3:30 p.m. and there will be a public reception after the service, but the burial will be private.
There will also be extra security at Ardrey Kell High School on Friday after students reported threatening graffiti and social media messages.
The principal sent a message to parents and said school will proceed as normal.
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