Loganville Area School Mourns the Loss of a Student-Athlete
Jonathan Russell, 15, from Covenant Christian Academy's Class of 2015, was a football player and track and field athlete.
Students and faculty from Covenant Christian Academy in Loganville learned Friday of the death of a student from the school.
In the school's weekly publication, Friday Facts, a picture of the 15-year-old is accompanied by the words, "Our COVENANT family mourns the tragic loss of Jonathan Russell, Class of 2015. Please be in prayer for the Russell family."
Friends who knew him are stunned. Linda Brown, whose son was a classmate of the teen, said he seemed a happy teenager with a loving family. She said she saw him on Monday and all seemed fine.
Gwinnett County Police spokesman Cpl. Jake Smith confirmed that police had responded Thursday night to the family home in Loganville and found the teen in the basement with a gunshot wound. Smith said the death is being classified as self-inflicted.
Jonathan was transported to Eastside Medical Center by Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services, but he didn't survive the injury. Funeral service details are not yet available.
Julie Brown Honea
9:11 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Every member of this family is precious and I pray that they know they are loved and that God wraps his arms around each of them a little tighter at this time. We're here for you, friends.
Koren Turner
9:42 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Jonathan was a great young man, he will be dearly missed. May God bring peace to the family like only He can...
Linda Bryant
8:23 am on Saturday, January 28, 2012
May the Lord bring peace to the family.
Debbie Davis
9:21 am on Saturday, January 28, 2012
Our school lost a ray of sunshine. This leaves a big hole in our lives. But heaven is more beautiful today because Jonathan is with Jesus . We love and care for the Russell family. They are a part of the covenant family. You are in our prayers.
Tonya Lee
6:42 pm on Saturday, January 28, 2012
My prayers go out to the Russell family. My boys had the great opportunity to know Jonathan. They spoke about how jolly he was and how he always made them laugh. May God keep his arms wrapped around this family in this time of sorrow.
Beth Harding
11:35 pm on Saturday, March 10, 2012
Jonathan IS my nephew. Since he was born he always had a smile. Please continue to pray for my sister and her family.
Sharon Swanepoel
7:35 am on Sunday, March 11, 2012
Such a sad loss Beth. Our thought continue to go out for your sister and her family.