#PrayersforJacob: 'Little Life Cut Short' After School Shooting

Image Courtesy: Gerald Gambrell's Facebook Page

Six-year-old Jacob Hall, a boy who was critically wounded after a teenage gunman opened fire at a South Carolina elementary, died Saturday.

Jacob had been fighting for his life since late Thursday after a bullet struck him in a main artery in his leg, causing a major brain injury due to the loss of blood.

He was airlifted to Greenville Health System, where doctors worked around the clock to stabilize him. 

"Jacob was a tremendous fighter but was unable to overcome the catastrophic blood loss and resulting cardiopulmonary arrest caused when the bullet hit his femoral artery," Dr. Keith Webb, Jacob's physician at Greenville Health System Children's Hospital said in a statement Saturday. "We grieve for the loss of this little boy and pray for his family as they work through this extraordinarily difficult time."

Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore announced that Jacob died this afternoon at 12:56 p.m. 

Statement from Jacob's Family

Jacob's parents, Renae and Rodger Hall, released a statement Saturday after his death:

“Our son, Jacob Hall, who was shot at Townville Elementary School on Wednesday, died today surrounded by family at Greenville Health System Children’s Hospital. Jacob came into our lives six years and four months ago and changed it completely. He showed us how to love, laugh and smile even on days we did not want to. God gave him to us and he was taken away from us by a senseless act. We know that Jacob has already forgiven this child for what he did to him and his family because that's the kind of child he was. Jacob was sent to this earth for this short a period of time to show us that there is such a thing as pure love. Jacob is in heaven with God now and everyone who loves him. Words cannot express how much we will miss him.

We want to express our thanks and appreciation to the community for the outpouring of love and support. We also want to thank the doctors and nurses at GHS Children’s Hospital, who did everything in their power to try to save Jacob, and to Ms. Hollingsworth, who put her life on the line to try to protect and save Jacob. We also want to thank Preacher Blizzard and the staff of Oakdale Baptist Church, the Townville Rescue Squad, Townville Fire Department, Fire Chief Billy McAdams and all of the first responders. This is an extremely difficult time for our family, and we ask for privacy as we continue to grieve the loss of our beloved son. Funeral arrangements will be shared on Monday.”

Jacob's Faith

Jacob was known for his bright-eyed smile and his love for the Lord. Family members told Greenville Online that he attended church regularly at Oakdale Baptist Church in Townville and he recently gave his life to the Lord. 

"He comes in Sunday School every Sunday morning with just a smile on his face," Tim Marcengill, Oakdale's associate pastor, said at a prayer vigil prior to Jacob's death. "He'll make you laugh and tell you he loves you. And he loves the Lord, and he knew that the Lord loves him. Several weeks back, his grandfather led him to faith even though he's 6 years old, he had an understanding. He's able to just make everybody in there on a Sunday morning light up."

"God took his strongest soldier. Jacob will be with us forever and always in our hearts," his brother Gerald Gambrell wrote in a Facebook post. "I love you little brother and I can't wait till the day we meet again. Your my hero buddy. I love you so much. Watch over your family, son."

#PrayersforJacob

Friends, family, and people all over social media have been praying for Jacob to recover from his injuries and using the hashtag #PrayersforJacob to raise awareness. 

 A GoFundMe page started by a family friend raised more than $125,000 in donations since it went up Wednesday night.

State Rep. Alan Clemmons, who earlier this week posted about Jacob's condition on social media, said "Thank you, America, for your prayers for Jacob during the past few days."

Jacob's parents, along with his seven siblings hadn't left his side since he was wounded.

"Jacob was going to do great things, and because of a senseless crime that nobody will probably ever really know why, that little life is cut short," his great-aunt Rebecca Hunnicutt told WYFF before his death. "Jacob is one of these kids that you'd swear was carved out of cream cheese. He is as beautiful on the inside as he is on the out."

The 14-year-old accused of the shooting was charged as a juvenile Friday with murder and three counts of attempted murder.

 Authorities have not released a motive for the shooting.