A young woman who has been referred to as her mother’s “mini-me.” A former professional boxer who coached and mentored young men and women. Girard College’s resident adviser.
The three victims of Saturday night’s mass shooting on Philadelphia’s South Street were not immediately identified by police. Friends, family members, and co-workers flocked to social media on Sunday to mourn the deaths of Kristopher Minners, 22, Alexis Quinn, 27, and Gregory “Japan” Jackson, 34, who were among those killed in the entertainment district when violence erupted.
Quinn and Jackson were killed in the incident, officials confirmed later Sunday. Two of the people, including Quinn, were described as “innocent bystanders” by police. The event is thought to have included one of the guys slain.
Educators’ union Minners was named by AFT Pennsylvania as a second-grade boys’ resident adviser at Girard College, a city-based college preparatory boarding school.
“With the passing of Kris Minners, yet another victim of senseless gun violence, our hearts are heavy today,” the union stated in a statement. “Our sympathies are with Mr. Minners’ family, who are missing someone at their breakfast table this morning, his co-workers, who will be without a buddy, and his students, who will be without a mentor and role model.”
From 2012 until 2019, Jackson was a professional welterweight boxer who had dedicated himself in recent years to assist the community, particularly youngsters in Philadelphia.
“Thank you for being a part of our village,” one woman wrote on Jackson’s Instagram profile, which includes photographs and videos of him boxing and instructing kids in the gym. “Thank you for taking the time to invest in my son and all the other small guys. You will be missed.”
Jackson, who was born in Atlantic City, was a regular at Millennium Skate World in Camden, according to an online biography. The rink announced on Facebook, “With a sorrowful heart, we are sharing the passing of one of our Adult Skaters, Greg aka Japan Jackson.”
Quinn’s family and friends also offered their sympathy.
“The deaths and shootings have to stop,” one woman stated, claiming Quinn was her niece. “That could have been my kid because she was down there at the time. We need to improve. Please! Please! Put your guns away, Philadelphia is a danger zone, certainly a danger zone.”
