Vigil in works to remember slain Veterans High teen

Chris Scorsome didn't spend a lot of time with Ryan Skeen, but he wanted to help organize an event to remember the slain Bonaire teen.

He has been joined in that effort by students and alumni of Veterans High School, where Skeen attended until he was fatally shot Monday.

School property wasn't available for the vigil, which will be held instead at St. Patrick Catholic Church off Ga. 127 near Houston Lake Road at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Regardless of venue, Scorsome -- a 2014 Veterans graduate -- said Skeen should be remembered as a kind-hearted "jokester."

"He was an all-around, down-to-earth, God-fearing person," Scorsome said of the 16-year-old.

Scorsome has been helping head up the effort to collect funds for luminaries and lumber for a candlelight vigil and bonfire.

"We've been going around to local businesses, trying to get money donated," he said Thursday.

So far, Scorsome and others have collected money, 1,000 bags for the luminaries and firewood, and they were planning to buy candles later Thursday.

Skeen, a junior at Veterans, played football, wrestled and had plans to run cross country for the Warhawks this year. Scorsome said there was "just something about him" that has made businesses and individuals across the Houston County community donate to the vigil.

"Everybody's pitching in," he said.

Scorsome didn't know Skeen well, but he is friends with his older brother, R.J.

"To me, the Skeens were kind of like family," he said.

Skeen was taken off life support Wednesday after he was shot Monday afternoon on Franklin Square in Bonaire. Kaden Chase Barefoot, 13, has been charged with murder and aggravated assault, among other charges.

Authorities have not revealed a possible motive in the confrontation.

Funeral details for Skeen were not final Thursday afternoon. Arrangements will be made through McCollough Funeral Home in Warner Robins.

To contact writer Jeremy Timmerman, call 744-4331 and find him on Twitter@MTJTimm.

This story was originally published October 29, 2015 at 7:03 PM with the headline "Vigil in works to remember slain Veterans High teen ."