ST. MARY PARISH — A teenager who was shot and killed on Friday in Jeanerette was a junior firefighter with the St. Mary Parish Fire Protection District #11. The fire district says they were notified of the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Kendall Thompson which occurred Friday January 17, 2020.
The district says that Thompson was a Junior Firefighter and joined the organization in September 2019.
"He was eager to learn about fire safety, prevention and protection. The St. Mary Fire Department honors his service rendered to the community and will greatly miss our brother, Mr. Kendall Thompson," a release from Fire Chief Clarence Clark states.
KATC's Briana Aldridge visited St. Mary Parish to learn more about Thompson's relationship with the fire station.
"He was a character. He liked to clown around. But we're going to miss him," said Jeanerette Fire Chief Sherry Landry.
Friday afternoon, the firefighters at St. Mary Parish Fire District 11 got a routine call for medical assistance of a person injured by gunfire. However, when they arrived, they realized it was one of their own. Kendall Thompson was lying unresponsive.
Chief Clark said, "Upon us getting there, I was actually the first one to show up next to the fire chief of Jeanerette and was real shocked."
Chief Clark was one of the few at the station who knew Thompson before he decided to join their Junior Firefighter program last September.
"Me and his mom had talked. She actually told me, 'I want you to take him under your wing at the fire station.'"
The people Thompson worked with said they could see the 17-year-old growing into a responsible firefighter. The chief said he even ordered his custom-made polo, which is a big step for the junior program.
"I would always give a few months to see exactly does a person deserve their shirt," explained Clark.
Unfortunately, Thompson never got to see his shirt. The plan is to frame his well-earned gear to give to his mother and son.
"He made a new family and added on family," said Chief Landry, "We were here for the good times and bad times."
Funeral arrangements are still pending.
Two people are still wanted in connection with that fatal shooting. The Marshal's Office announced Wednesday that 19-year-old George Bobb IV and 19-year-old McClellan Molo are both wanted on 2nd Degree murder charges.
Rondrick Grant, 21, and Travlon Dauphine, 20 were arrested on Saturday. Read more here
