KOKOMO, IN — A deep and anguished sorrow has gripped the city of Kokomo in the wake of a devastating act of gun violence that claimed the life of 17-year-old Aveon Rocquez Rice. The tragic incident occurred on the evening of Friday, June 14, 2025, shaking the community to its core and leaving family members, friends, classmates, and local residents heartbroken and searching for answers.
According to preliminary reports, Aveon was fatally shot in a residential area on the city’s north side. Emergency responders rushed to the scene after multiple calls reporting gunfire. Despite the efforts of first responders and medical personnel, Aveon succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital. The Kokomo Police Department has launched a full investigation into the shooting, urging anyone with information to come forward. As of now, no arrests have been announced.
The loss of Aveon has sent ripples of grief throughout the city. A promising young man with his entire life ahead of him, Aveon was a student at Kokomo High School where he was well-known for his warm personality, charismatic smile, and passion for basketball. His teachers remember him as a respectful and curious learner, someone who worked hard and carried himself with a quiet determination. Friends describe him as loyal, funny, and dependable—a person who could bring laughter to even the toughest days.
“Aveon was more than a student—he was part of our school family,” said one of his teachers. “To see a young life taken in such a violent and senseless way—it’s just devastating.”
In the days following the tragedy, a growing memorial has taken shape near the site of the shooting, where candles, flowers, photos, and handwritten notes pay tribute to Aveon’s memory. Vigils are being planned by classmates and youth groups, offering spaces for collective mourning and reflection. Kokomo’s faith leaders and local organizations have also stepped in, calling for unity, peace, and an end to the violence that has taken too many young lives far too soon.
Aveon’s family, while navigating unimaginable grief, has asked for privacy and prayers during this difficult time. In a statement shared through a community advocate, the family said: “Aveon was our heart. He was a son, a brother, a friend, and a light in our lives. We are devastated by his loss and ask for justice to be served. We thank everyone who has shown us love and support.”
The tragedy has once again reignited urgent conversations around youth violence, gun access, and community safety in Kokomo. City officials, community leaders, and school administrators are engaging in renewed dialogue on preventative measures and resources to protect local youth and provide outlets for mentorship, support, and hope.
As Kokomo continues to reel from this heartbreaking loss, one thing is clear: Aveon Rocquez Rice’s life mattered. He was loved deeply, and his absence is profoundly felt. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him, and his name will be spoken not only in sorrow but in the call for change, peace, and justice.
Aveon is survived by his parents, siblings, extended family, and many friends who will forever cherish his memory. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days. A community vigil is being organized for later this week to honor Aveon’s life and bring together those mourning his passing.
In this time of tragedy, the city of Kokomo stands united in grief, determined to remember Aveon not by the violence that ended his life, but by the light he brought into the world.