It was an emotional night Monday for family, friends and students on the Jackson State University campus. A candlelight vigil and Stop The Violence Rally were held to remember 19 year old Nolan Ryan Henderson who was shot to death early Sunday morning.
Students comforted each other and wiped away tears as they remembered Nolan Ryan Henderson in prayer, in song, and reflections of his brief time on the Jackson State campus.
JSU President, Dr. Carolyn Meyers encouraged students to remember that any kind of violence is senseless.
“Let’s together take a solemn vow, a solemn vow that each one of us will do all we can, where ever we are, and whenever we can to stop violence,” said Dr. Meyers.
Counseling is available on campus and students were encouraged to seek help in dealing with the hurt and anger. Security surrounded the plaza where the vigil was held. Some students are upset that no one has come forward with information on the gunman. There are also rumors circulating throughout the campus on a motive. Henderson was killed at an off campus party at the Palisades apartment complex around 1am Sunday morning.
“There’s no specific group that was identified there, so we are and we have been investigating. Again we’re working closely with JPD on all of these rumors,” David Hoard, Vice President of the Office of Institutional Advancement said.
Family members including Henderson’s mother say they are touched by the outpouring of support. His brother and step brother talked to the crowd about their loss.
“Ryan meant the world to me, he was my best friend,” said his younger brother.
“He was loved, we haven’t found anyone who said anything negative about him,” Harriet Kennel, Henderson’s aunt said.
Henderson’s father and other family members also attended JSU. The vigil ended with students and friends marching to the Palisades, holding candles, hoping for answers.
Henderson was a freshman who was born in Jackson and grew up in Stone Mountain, Georgia. JSU officials tell us so far there have been no new developments in the murder investigation.
(WLBT)
