Superhero funeral honors boy shot at school

TOWNVILLE, S.C. (AP) – The Latest on the funeral of a boy fatally shot at a South Carolina elementary school (all times local):

11:20 a.m.

The family of Jacob Hall has arrived at the funeral of their 6-year-old boy, who was struck by gunfire at his South Carolina elementary school.

At the Hall family’s request, mourners are wearing superhero costumes to celebrate Jacob, who is being laid to rest dressed as Batman.

A fellow 6-year-old, Lily Gunby, says Jacob “was really sweet,” and “new a lot about Jesus.” She’s sitting in the pews of Townville’s Oakdale Baptist Church, wearing a pink and black superman shirt in her friend’s honor.

Lily’s uncle Derek Gunby says Jacob was “the cutest thing ever” at the church’s Bible school.

The mourners include some people who drove for hours to attend the funeral. John Buckland drove his Batmobile from West Virginia, and wearing full Batman garb, gave the kids posters saying “Tough things make me stronger.”

Townville Elementary school teachers also are in the church, wearing handmade blue capes with a Ninja Turtle face and Jacob’s name on the back.

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9:45 a.m.

People dressed in superhero costumes are arriving at the funeral of a 6-year-old boy who died after a teen gunman opened fire at a South Carolina elementary school.

The church was filling up an hour before Jacob Hall’s funeral Wednesday. It comes a week after authorities say a 14-year-old boy killed his own father, then drove to Townville Elementary and fired on two children and a teacher as recess began. Jacob died Saturday. The other student and teacher were treated and released the day of the shooting.

Jacob’s family has encouraged people to celebrate his life by dressing as the superheroes he loved. The front of the funeral program reads “God’s Super Hero,” with the words of the song “Jesus Loves Me” printed inside. Photos from his life are on display on two large screens.

Jacob’s blue casket is decorated with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle stickers, and a bright floral spray on top includes large figurines of Ninja turtles and Captain America.

Jacob is being laid to rest as Batman, another favorite.

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4 a.m.

A 6-year-old boy who died after a teen gunman opened fire at a South Carolina elementary school is remembered as a superhero.

Jacob Hall’s family has encouraged people to dress as superheroes to celebrate his life, and many people obliged at his visitation Tuesday.

His funeral Wednesday comes a week after authorities say a 14-year-old boy killed his own father before driving to Townville Elementary School. Jacob, a classmate and a teacher were struck as they left for recess. That student and the teacher were treated and released from a hospital later that day.

A bullet struck Jacob in a main artery in his thigh.

District Superintendent Joanne Avery says there will be a district-wide moment of silence at 1:42 p.m. to mark one week since the shooting.

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