**Trigger Warning: This article contains mentions of gun violence**
On the night of Tuesday, Feb. 15, Weymouth High School senior Nathan Paul, age 17, was killed in a fatal shooting in Quincy. The shooter has not yet been identified by the authorities.
The shooting occurred in Quincy’s Germantown Point neighborhood on Taffrail Road around 6:30 p.m.
According to WCVB, Paul was shot while inside a vehicle, which he drove away and then crashed where Palmer Street and Yardarm Lane intersect. Police found Paul with a potentially deadly gunshot wound. He was transported to Boston Medical Center, and died later of his injuries.
As of now, Paul’s family does not know the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and the police have not officially identified Paul as the victim of the shooting.
“Whoever did this to my son, he did not deserve to die like that,” said Gregory Paul, Nathan’s father. “He’s a very smart kid. He’s good at school, good at sports. Whoever did this, turn yourself in.”
Weymouth Public Schools Superintendent Robert Wargo released a statement on Wednesday, Feb. 16, indicating that a Weymouth Public Schools student had died, but did not specify Paul’s identity.
“Moments like these are difficult to process for students, as well as staff and parents,” reads the statement. “As a district we are always available to support our school community, and we ask that as a community we all look to support one another during this time. The district has a team of mental health professionals and counselors available districtwide to support any individual in need of emotional assistance, or to help cope with this unthinkable loss.”
Following his graduation, Paul was hoping to attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the fall.
A GoFundMe page was organized by Sebastien and Sabian Lacrete for the Paul family. At the time of writing, the campaign had raised $27,719. Sebastien authored the fundraiser’s description.
“I had the pleasure of knowing Nathan Paul,” reads the fundraiser description. “Nathan was a kind soul and never failed to make you smile. The Paul family mean[s] very dearly to me and [it] would mean the world to me to donate anything to help the Paul family in this time of need. Nathan, you were a teammate to me, and I am grateful I knew you as a person; you were real, funny and just a great guy. Greg Paul is one of the realest kids I know and it hurts me so bad that him and his family are going through this. All proceeds will go to the Paul Family. Rest In Peace Nathan. We love you. #LLN”
No arrests have been made and no suspect has been named. The police state that a witness reported seeing several individuals run from the scene of the crime.
“We do ask if anyone sees anything unusual or hears anything unusual that they call 911 right away,” said Quincy Police Chief Paul Keenan.
Currently, both the Quincy Police and State Police who have been assigned to the district attorney’s office are investigating the case. If anyone has any information regarding the case, they are asked to call Quincy Police at 617-479-1212.
In order to donate to the GoFundMe campaign for the Paul family, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-paul-family-with-their-tragic-loss?qid=d84d32227c0e17cff2fef3f7efc0f815