At vigil, friends say 16-year-old murder victim was goofy, fun-loving kid

GULFPORT -- Dozens of friends and relatives attended a candlelight vigil Monday for 16-year-old Nigel Poole, who was fatally shot Saturday night.

The service took place in the 4700 block of 19th Street, where Poole was found with multiple gunshot wounds to the head about 7:52 p.m. Saturday.

Those who attended the vigil placed stuffed animals, cards and candles on the ground where he was found, in an empty lot between houses.

They joined together to pray and share memories of the 16-year-old.

Poole was fun-loving kid with a childlike personality, his cousin Jarvis Brown said.

"He wasn't no bad kid," friend Chynna Donald said. "He was just childish. He was goofy."

"One time he danced all the way from a basketball game to a McDonald's," friend Anfrenee Bonner said.

Poole's immediate family did not attend the vigil.

Donald said his family is having a tough time grieving but is "trying to stay strong."

Kobe Jaquan Augustine, 15, faces a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the slaying. He confessed to the killing, according to a police affidavit.

This story was originally published January 25, 2016 at 9:58 PM with the headline "At vigil, friends say 16-year-old murder victim was goofy, fun-loving kid ."