Trojans in mourning

As the spring semester begins, the Trojan family is mourning the loss of four students who passed away over the break.

The incidents included two gun violence deaths and two car related deaths.

Two football players were involved, one was killed and another has been charged with manslaughter.

Haijiao Sun from Shenyang, China, a recent graduate of Troy died December 21 due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident on December 14 close to Gainesville, Fla.

Sun had graduated just eight days before the wreck.

Kimberle Johnson, 22, a junior social work major from Montgomery, was fatally shot December 28 at the Centennial Bar and Grill in Montgomery.

According to AL.com and other sources, the Centennial Bar and Grill will not reopen due to it’s suspended liquor license and inadequate security team.

Two of the victims who survived the shooting have filed a lawsuit against the club owner and the security company.

“Our thoughts are with Ms. Johnson’s family and friends, as well as the other victims of this senseless tragedy,” said Herb Reeves, Dean of Students. “Anytime there is a loss of life, it is tragic.”

One other person was murdered at the scene of the crime and six others were hospitalized.

Kristen Fuller, 18, a freshman social work major from Luverne, was shot and killed on New Year’s Day from a gunshot wound sustained at a party in Crenshaw County, at a residence on County Road 29.

Troy student Taylor Driggers from Brantley, has been charged with manslaughter for a connection with the incident. It has been reported that Driggers was Fuller’s shooter.

Driggers was signed with the Trojan football team but was not slated to join the team until summer 2014.

JaDarius Garner, 20, a sophomore math major from Clarksdale, Miss. and a member of the Trojan football team, was found dead on U.S. Highway 61 in Bolivar County, Miss. early in the morning on January 2.

Garner died due to injuries sustained from being struck by a vehicle on the highway. He was not found until a second car had run over him.

While the university held a vigil last night for the deceased, the Office of International Programs is also holding a memorial service for Sun today at 3:30 p.m. in Bibb Graves Hall.