A Deerfield Beach High School football player has died days after he was shot in the head, and authorities announced the arrest of a 14-year-old suspect Tuesday.
The mother of 16-year-old Rickey Ferguson Jr. announced the teen's death Tuesday in a Facebook post.
"My son Rickey has passed on and gained his wings," Latasha Ferguson wrote in part, alongside a photo of her son on the field in his football uniform.
Earlier Tuesday, the Broward County Sheriff's Office announced a 14-year-old had been arrested in connection with the shooting and faces a charge of attempted second-degree murder, but he will likely face more serious charges after Ferguson's death. NBC 6 is not identifying the suspect because he is a minor.
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The shooting happened last Wednesday near the 400 block of Southwest Second Street, officials said.
Ferguson was shot in the head and taken to the hospital, according to BSO.
Video captured the day of the incident shows people running and screaming moments after the gun went off.
"He was indeed a young man who loved his family," said Matthew Joseph, who taught Ferguson at Deerfield Beach Middle School.
Ferguson was passionate about football, family members said.
Deerfield Beach High School tweeted a statement about his death on Wednesday.
"Our hearts and sympathy go out to the Ferguson Family and the Deerfield Beach Community during this difficult time," the statement said. "There are no words that can be said, we understand that this is going to be a difficult time for everyone in the @DFB_City community. But there will be help through this grief for anyone who needs it including @DBHSFootballTTP members, students and staff."
The community had come together this past Thursday for a discussion on how to end gun violence.
"He's just a humble young man,” said Ferguson's aunt, Janice Dean. “Caught up in the wrong place at the wrong time."
This is a developing story. Check back with NBC 6 for updates.
