Visitation for Elijah Dewitt family tonight in Jackson Co

Visitation for the family of murdered Jackson County teenager Elijah Dewitt is set for 6 this evening til 10 tonight at the Jefferson Church. That’s on Mahaffey Street in Jefferson. The 18 year-old Dewitt, a standout on the Jefferson High School football team, was shot and killed last week, gunned down outside a restaurant at a shopping mall in Gwinnett County. Two suspects, teenagers from Lawrenceville, have been arrested and charged in his murder. Funeral for Dewitt is set for 6 o’clock tomorrow evening at Jefferson High School.

From WSB TV…

Two teenagers accused of murdering a high school football star in Gwinnett County are expected to arrive back in Georgia Monday.

Elijah DeWitt was shot and killed outside the Dave & Buster’s at Sugarloaf Mill mall last week.

The 18-year-old was a star player at Jefferson High School in Jackson County and had been enjoying his fall break with family and friends when he was killed.

Two Gwinnett County teenagers, Kemare Bryan and Chandler Richardson, were arrested days later in South Carolina.

Channel 2 Action News spoke to DeWitt’s family and friends Monday.

DeWitt’s parents told Johnson that Elijah was definitely not friends with Bryan and Richardson, despite earlier reports from police that the three were likely known to each other.

Elijah DeWitt’s sister, Delaney DeWitt, said she’s mourned him every day since his murder. She said a vigil for her brother helped the family start the process of trying to heal and move forward.

“Elijah wouldn’t want me to just sit around and cry,” Delaney DeWitt said. “I know, that’s what Elijah would want. He would want us to keep our heads up and just come together as people. We’re not going to just sit around and give up.”

DeWitt’s girlfriend, Bailey Reidling, said DeWitt was a protector in his family.

“I just want everybody to know that he was just very kind and gentle at heart. He was really everybody’s protector,” Reidling said. “I love how you protected Delaney. And that’s why I thought a lot of him.”

Bryan and Richardson were both charged with murder. Police have not released a motive in the shooting but said it stemmed from a fight in the parking lot.

DeWitt’s family is waiting for answers.

“He’s just going to be in the back of my brain, saying, ‘You got this. Keep going, give 100%,’” Delaney Dewitt said.

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