On Friday, Aug. 21, Hunters Lane High School student Cameron Frierson left a football game at Pearl-Cohn High School and walked less than a block away before he was shot and killed in front of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. While some reports said Cameron Frierson was walking home, his father Chris Frierson posted to social media saying they don't live in the Hadley Park area.
Police say witnesses report the gunfire came from a white sedan with tinted windows. First responders transported the 16-year-old to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he died.
"Cameron was just doing what so many high school students do on a Friday night, enjoying a football game, and in an instant, our lives changed forever," his mother Brittany Frierson said in a statement.
"Cameron was a bright, beaming light in all of our lives, and this loss has left us heartbroken and struggling to understand how to move forward without him."
She said she wants his story and name to be remembered for more than the way he died.
The day after his death, Brittany Frierson took to Go Fund Me to share how she will remember him: as her hardworking, determined and responsible son. She said he was working two jobs, on top of school, to be able to pay for new clothes.
"He had so much life ahead of him, and remembering the effort he was making for himself makes this loss even more painful for all of us who loved him," she said.
This kind of tragedy isn't something a family can prepare for, she said. The family is asking for $6,000 in donations to cover Cameron Frierson's funeral.
Within less than 24 hours, dozens of donations flooded in. By noon Aug. 23, friends, family and community members had contributed nearly $5,000 to the fund.
Amid posting baby photos, home videos and pictures of Cameron with his brother, Brittany Frierson thanked everyone for their support and left another loving tribute to him on social media.
"I knew he was bigger than life," she said. "I always knew."
To contribute to the funeral expenses, visit GoFundMe.com.
The motive for the murder is still under investigation, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department, and anyone with information about the murder is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Callers may remain anonymous and could qualify for a cash reward.
Hadley Hitson covers business news for The Tennessean. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com. To support her work,subscribe to The Tennessean.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashvillians donate thousands for local high school student's funeral
