A young woman who has been dubbed the “mini-me” of her mother. A former professional boxer who served as a coach and mentor to young men and women. The resident adviser at Girard College.
Police could not immediately identify the three victims of a mass shooting on Philadelphia’s South Street on Saturday night. On Sunday, friends, family members, and co-workers took to social media to mourn the loss of Kristopher Minners, 22, Alexis Quinn, 27, and Gregory “Japan” Jackson, 34, who were among those killed when violence erupted in the entertainment area.
Officials verified later Sunday that Quinn and Jackson were killed in the incident. Police described two of the people, including Quinn, as “innocent bystanders.” One of the males is thought to have been killed during the incident.
Educators’ Association AFT Pennsylvania chose Minners as a resident adviser for second-grade boys at Girard College, a city-based college preparatory boarding school.
“Our hearts are heavy today with the passing of Kris Minners, yet another victim of senseless gun violence,” the union said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to Mr. Minners’ family, who will be without someone at breakfast this morning, his co-workers, who will be without a friend, and his pupils, who will be without a mentor and role model.”
Jackson was a professional welterweight boxer from 2012 to 2019 who had devoted himself in recent years to assist the community, particularly young people 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.”
