West Philadelphia Student-Athlete Killed After Easter Dinner
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - "He was a great son, he was my champion, I had big plans for him," said Joel Seay, the father of 18-year-old Jarell Seay.
In family pictures Jarell appeared to have everything he needed to achieve greatness. He was born and raised in a loving two-parent household in West Philadelphia. Jarell was close with his older brother, 21-year-old Joel Jr.
"He was extremely tight with his brother," said Seay. "He was so well-liked."
But that well-liked 18-year-old young man, who was known for wearing cool shades and having plenty of friends, was gunned down on the front porch of his home, steps away from his father.
"A neighbor ran up and started doing CPR, and I just couldn't get him back," said Seay.
It all started on Easter Sunday. Two young men showed up to the house looking for Jarell. His father was suspicious, so he waited on the porch.
"The guy whispered something to Jarell, and Jarell said 'No, man I don't know what you talking about,'" said Jarell's father.
Seconds later, Jarell's dad says one of the men turned around and shot his son, right in front of him.
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While police investigate and a family mourns, Wyncote Academy principal Kirk Hittinger is asking why?
"Why would someone do this to a kid like that, it makes no sense ", said Hittinger.
Hittinger says Jarell transferred from Overbrook High School to the small private school his junior year.
The senior, who was to graduate in six weeks, enjoyed making music. He stood out on the basketball court, and in class he was equally as impressive.
Hittinger described Saey as a typical 18-year-old.
"His family was doing the right thing and he was working hard, and what I can't understand is what was so important at age 18 that he needed to die over it," Hittinger said. "Why would somebody kill a kid who was ready to start his life like that?"
And that's what police are trying to determine as they continue to search for the two suspects who showed up at Saey's home along the 1300 block of North 55th Street.
His family knew he was destined to succeed, which is why they worked so hard to see to it that he did.
"He ain't got to worry about him crying or dying any more. He moved on to a better place," said his father.
Reported by Jericka Duncan, CBS 3; Suzanne Monaghan, KYW Newsradio
