MIAMI-DADE, Fla. – Tyquan "Quan" Ham, who played for the Miami Jackson Senior High School's football team, was shot dead Friday, according to relatives.
The mother of one of Ham's Jackson Generals teammates described Ham as respectful and athletic teen. A neighbor who said he heard the gunshots added Ham "was a good kid."
Ham's team will have to play without him against North Miami next Friday.
"Another tragedy in our community," Miami-Dade Police Department Director Juan Perez wrote on Twitter Saturday. A "16 year old who will not enjoy life. We need to stand tough against violence. Deepest condolences."
Detective Argemis Colome said the teen was shot about 10 p.m., while walking near his home in Northwest Miami-Dade. The victim's aunt said Ham was sitting down outside of his home when the shots were fired.
"The subject(s) fled and remain at large," Colome wrote in a Saturday morning statement.
Ham lived near the Lillie C. Evans K-8 Center in the area of Northwest 75th Street and Northwest 19th Avenue.
Authorities removed Ham's body from the crime scene about 6 a.m. Miami-Dade homicide detectives were at the edge of the Gladeview and West Little River neighborhoods investigating the murder.
Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho acknowledged the "overnight tragedy" in a Saturday morning tweet.
"Cowardly gun violence continues to maim the soul of our community," Carvalho wrote under hash tag "Enough."
Last year, school administrators trusted Laktriona "Bernice" Brunson, a reality TV star with "South Beach Tow," and hip-hop legend Luther Campbell with coaching him and his teammates. Ham's Facebook page showed him wearing the Jackson General's number 55 in 2015 and 2016.
In his social media posts, Ham also used the hashtag "dream chasing" often. He liked to spend time with his baby nephew TJ. There were also "Free Da Hood" and "RIP My Brothers" posts about friends in the Brownsville neighborhood who were either killed or were in prison. The mother of one of his teammates said Ham "didn't hang out with the wrong crowd."
Ham was set to graduate from high school in 2019. A coach from another high school said he was "pushing to get a scholarship."
Detectives were asking the public for help. Colome said the little information the police department released about the shooting was preliminary and could change as the investigation progressed.
"Can't help but think someone must have information that can help prevent the killings," Perez wrote on Twitter. "If you know something, help solve this heinous crime ... will work diligently to solve this crime."
Detectives were asking anyone with information to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
This is a developing story. Refresh this screen for the latest information.
Photos of Jackson General's number 55
