A heartbreaking tragedy has shaken the East Point, Georgia community, where a 17-year-old who passionately spoke out against gun violence lost his life in a shooting. Kenneth Collier Jr., a high school junior with dreams of starting his own fashion brand and a love for music, was shot and killed in Cobb County last Thursday night.
Kenneth’s father, Ken Collier, described him as one of the smartest kids he knew. “He had a beautiful smile, so much energy, and an amazing soul,” said Collier, speaking at a vigil held in East Point on Monday night to honor his son’s memory.
Kenneth’s life was deeply marked by tragedy. In 2017, when he was just 10 years old, his mother, Tamika Trimble, was murdered in DeKalb County—on his birthday. Her murder remains unsolved to this day. The loss left an indelible mark on Kenneth, who often cried at night thinking about his mom and would express his fear of facing a similar fate.
On Thursday, Kenneth was visiting family in Austell when he told his sister he was going to meet someone. That evening, Cobb County police received a report of a shooting at the Residence at Riverside apartments. Kenneth had been shot multiple times. He was rushed to the hospital but sadly didn’t survive.
Ken Collier, now grieving the unimaginable loss of both his son and his son’s mother, is determined to seek justice. “Seven years, and they never made an arrest for his mom’s murder. Now this happened to him, and I’ll make sure they make an arrest this time,” he vowed.
Cobb County police have assured the community that they are working diligently to uncover who is responsible for Kenneth’s death. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Cobb County police.
This tragedy highlights the devastating impact of gun violence and the pain it leaves behind. Kenneth’s voice, once calling for change, has now been silenced, but his father’s promise ensures that his fight for justice is far from over.
