Two rows of lanky, purple–clad basketball players bounded out of practice Tuesday and quietly huddled in prayer for Bobby Tillman, the 18–year–old who was stomped to death in a shocking unprovoked attack over the weekend.
They left, but slowly more than 100 of Tillman’s friends and classmates gathered in a growing circle in front of his alma mater, Chapel Hill High School, where they remembered him during a vigil as a plucky, good–natured kid they hoped did not die in vain.
‘Something had to happen today,’ said Chauncey Walker, a classmate of Tillman’s. ‘God took him away to show us — this is our lesson learned. Adults look at us like we’re hooligans, like we’re crazy. We’re not — and let’s show them we’re not.’
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The senselessness of Tillman’s killing was still rippling through this working–class suburb west of Atlanta. About 80 people had descended Saturday night on a house party near the school that spilled out on the street when the crowd grew unruly.
A fight broke out, and authorities say a woman hit a guy, who investigators say decided not to retaliate against her because she was a woman. But he vowed to strike back against the next man who passed by.
That’s when Tillman happened on the crowd. Four teenagers swiftly stomped, kicked and punched him to death while dozens of bystanders watched, authorities said. Douglas County Coroner Randy Daniel said Tuesday he was hit so hard, his heart was cut during the beating.
Four men have been charged with murder in the killing. They are Quantez Devonta Mallory, 18; Horace Damon Coleman, 19; Emanuel Benjamin Boykins, 18; and Tracen Lamar Franklin, 19. None had an attorney at an initial appearance Monday, but relatives suggested they intend to fight the charges.
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