Vigil held at high school for coach slain in northeast Charlotte shooting
A vigil was held Monday night at the Mallard Creek High School stadium to remember and honor high school football coach and mentor Ralph Hammond, who was shot and killed Friday night in northeast Charlotte.
No arrests have been made.
Hammond was a coach and mentor at Mallard Creek High School, a family member told Channel 9. Hammond converted his garage into a facility for strength training for young athletes.
PAST COVERAGE: Loved ones search for answers after CMS volunteer shot, killed in northeast Charlotte
“I think it was more than just working out,” said Kennedy Tinsley, head football coach. “That time to be encouraged by another voice besides those same old coaches that they see in school every day. I think is very much rewarding.”
Many spoke about the coach’s garage.
Jakhi Patton is a senior and plays on the football team. He went to the vigil to pause and remember the coach.
“He turned his whole garage into a weight-lifting spot just for Creek players,” said Patton, a running back. “He got Creek players all on his wall.”
Hammond’s son, Rashad Fletcher, said his father was like a father figure to everyone.
“One of the best men ever,” Fletcher said. “He always cared about everybody, anybody. Everybody knew him. He was like everybody’s dad or uncle. He was just a good guy.”
Family members said Hammond loved every child as if they were his own and made sure they had what they needed to succeed.
“He would go get them,” said Debbie Hammond, the victim’s sister. “He would bring them here. He would feed them. He would clothe them if they needed clothing, shoes, cleats. Whatever they needed it all was here.”
The mentor will always be remembered at the school and beyond.
“When you see coaches that are passionate about it, that’s the best thing possible and that passion rolls over to those students and the students will feel it for years to come,” said Ericia Turner, the athletic director at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
VIDEO: Loved ones search for answers after 56-year-old man shot, killed in northeast Charlotte
