Memory of smile pains grieving family

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Jeffrey Jackson measured success with smiles. And every time his name came up at his memorial, you couldn't help but laugh.

Maybe the only thing he had more of than a sense of humor was a will to help.

And now, one day after the gentle giant known as "Doodie" was killed just steps from his Newport News home Friday morning, his family is asking for the help they wish they didn't need.

"Somebody has to come forward and say something," pleaded Jeffrey's father, Brion Jackson.

At the place he died, the only thing growing faster than the memorial is the number of tears. His family will not find any comfort until they find answers.

Officers discovered the body of Jackson in front of a dumpster at the Woodview Apartments on Manor Road at around 12:30 Friday morning.

Friends and relatives of the teenager say he was excited about starting the new school year as a junior at Woodside High School.

Jackson's cousin, Montrea Everett cried, "I don't know who would do something like this, because he didn't do anything to anybody and it really hurts me that someone would just gun my cousin down for nothing at all."

So far, no motive or suspect information has been released.

If you know anything that could help police call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.