PHILADELPHIA (AP) — In remembrance of the tragic ambush shooting of 14-year-old Nicolas Elizalde, students, teachers, and staff at Roxborough High School in Philadelphia came together on Wednesday for a Day of Peace. This marked one year since Elizalde was killed outside the school after a football scrimmage.
The high school has taken significant steps to enhance security over the past year, including the installation of cameras both inside and outside the building. These cameras provide additional surveillance even on the football field, where the shooting occurred last year.
Principal Kristin Smalley emphasized the importance of safety measures while acknowledging that more needs to be done. According to Smalley, the violence in the city must change because children today cannot experience the same carefree childhood as previous generations.
Tragically, incidents of violence have continued to affect the school community. Since Nicolas’ murder, one student was killed in May and an alumnus lost their life over the summer.
To honor Nicolas’ memory, students observed a moment of silence and wore white pins to symbolize peace. It was during a mass shooting that Nicolas and four other students were ambushed by five shooters. Although Nicolas was not the intended target, he lost his life during the attack.
Football Coach Mark Skinner led Nicolas’ former teammates to a commemorative plaque, where they planted “peace bulbs” as a symbol of life beyond themselves. Skinner expressed gratitude for the opportunity to remember Nicolas and preserve his legacy.
Unfortunately, the shooter, Dayron Burney Thorne, remains at large.
In a move to honor Nicolas further, the school decided to change its mascot to the Roxborough Wolves, as the wolf was Coach Skinner’s spirit animal.
The Day of Peace at Roxborough High School not only served as a solemn commemoration but also highlighted the ongoing need for safer communities. The school community continues to cope with the tragic loss of Nicolas Elizalde and the impact of violence in their city.
