13-year-old Shama’ar Jefferson has reportedly passed away after falling into a coma, having passed out during a basketball game earlier this year.
The teenager was playing at the Wichitah Sports Forum in Kansas on March 30 when he complained of a headache and said his vision was blurry.
According to local station KWCH, Jefferson passed a concussion test but still ended up collapsing shortly after. Doctors revealed he had suffered a brain bleed after he was taken to the Wesley Children’s Hospital.
His parents set up a GoFundMe page for him, where they revealed he had been moved to the Children’s Mercy Hospital for a second opinion.
The Just A Kid organization, based in Wichita, confirmed this week that Shama’ar Jefferson died as a result of the injury, offering condolences to his parents, Brandon and Shaquela Cornwell, in a Facebook Post.
Another local outlet, KAKE, noted that Jefferson collapsed after he stood up to pick up his bag from behind the bench.
Shama’ar Jefferson’s GoFundMe Page Surpasses Goal
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Shama’ar, a student at Stucky Middle School, was described as an honor student by his parents, who said he touched many people during his short life.
“It’s overwhelming just to know that he … if you met him, you love him,” his mother said, via KAKE.
“If you know him, you love him. He has touched so many people just by his smile, so just to know that so many people care, even people who don’t know him,” she added.
The GoFundMe page had raised $18,215 at the time of writing, surpassing its goal of $15,000.
TPS sends heartfelt condolences to the family of Shama’ar Jefferson.
May he rest in peace.
