Star athlete's killer was family friend, says McEachern High official

By Christian Boone

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Clifton Steger was no stranger to the Bennett family. He was at McEachern High two weeks ago when 18-year-old football star Rajaan Bennett signed his letter of intent to play at Vanderbilt.

"[Steger] was introduced as a friend to the family," said McEachern Athletics Director Jimmy Dorsey. But sometime last week Rajaan's mother, Narjaketha Bennett, broke up with Steger, a 39-year-old carpenter who'd lived much of his life in Detroit.

"He was out for revenge," said Dorsey, who told the AJC he had talked with Powder Springs Police and Rajaan's family earlier Thursday.  Steger allegedly broke into the Bennett's home on Woodcrest Drive just southwest of downtown Powder Springs.

Rajaan's younger sister Narcharlette, a middle schooler, quietly called 911 around 2:30 a.m. to report Steger's intrusion, Dorsey said. Four minutes later police arrived and "as they approached and knocked on the door, they heard several gunshots," Powder Springs Police Maj. Charles Spann told the AJC.

Inside police found the bodies of Rajaan, captain of the 2009 McEachern football team and an all-state running back with a 3.8 GPA, and Steger, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head, said Powder Springs Police spokesman Matt Boyd.

Rajaan's uncle, Taiwan Hunter, 32, was also shot; he is listed in critical condition at Atlanta Medical Center. Rajaan's mother and his two siblings, Narcharlette and Desybon, a special needs student McEachern, were unharmed.

Students held a vigil for Rajaan Thursday night. About 150 students gathered in huge ring around posters, candles and chalk messages on the concrete that paid tribute to their classmate.

“He was more than just a football player, he was more than the number 5, he loved us all,” Shana Belden, a senior, told the crowd before leading it in prayer.

Several football players also spoke, including cornerback  DeMarius Matthews, who wore the number 8 with McEachern and is playing for Georgia State next year.

“He’s my best friend. I’m going to take all his dreams on my back and be number 5. His memory will live in me,” said Matthews, who said he has already asked GSU to change his number for the upcoming college season.

Steger's family was shocked by the shootings.

"I'm standing here in a daze," Steger's mother, Gladys Steger, told the AJC when reached by phone at her home in Milledgeville. She referred all questions to her niece, who would not give her name.

"He was dating someone in Atlanta," the niece said. "We met her once."

The suspect's cousin would not say whether that woman was Narjaketha Bennett.

"There's nothing much I can say about him," the cousin said.

Neighbor Melissa White, 29, woke at 4 a.m. to sounds of news trucks and police cars driving down her street. She drove past the Bennett's house Thursday afternoon and queried reporters still trying to glean information about what had happened.

"I feel bad for that mom," White told the AJC. "She's always going to have to live with that. She's gonna feel bad for the rest of her life for dating some psycho."

The Powder Springs Police Department has no record of previous incidents at the Bennett's Woodcrest Drive residence.

"Family always came first for Rajaan," Dorsey said. "He was a very mature young man, mature well beyond his years."

Rajaan was in sixth grade when his father died. From then on, he was man of the house, a responsibility he took seriously, Dorsey said.

"He would come eat lunch with his brother and the other special needs students regularly," the McEachern A.D. said.

Bennett, who earned three track letters, rushed for 1,857 yards and 28 touchdowns on 236 carries as a senior, drawing attention from several top football schools.

"He made a decision to go to Vandy because of the academics," Dorsey told the AJC. Rajaan, a budding architect, had a 3.8 GPA at McEachern. "Football was just a means for him to get where he wanted to be in life."

McEachern Principal Regina Montgomery said counselors would be at the school to help students with the grieving process, but said,  "We don't know what we're going to do tomorrow, we're just trying to get through today together."

Head football coach Kyle Hockman said Bennett was "just one of the best ever."

"Rajaan is both humble and hard working," Hockman told Vanderbilt officials on signing day. "He's a guy that is very respected by his teammates and the McEachern community. I think the world of this young man."

McEachern has set up a fund to help pay for the Bennett's funeral.

“We’re trying to help the family with funeral costs, clean up of the house, and numerous other expenses they have,” Hockman told the AJC on Thursday. “More than anything, we’re trying to help the family in this time of uncertainty. (Rajaan’s family) didn’t have a lot of possessions, and I know they could use some financial assistance with the funeral — you know, to do something nice to celebrate his life.”

To donate, Hockman said send checks made out to the McEachern Endowment Fund with “Rajaan Bennett Memorial” written in the bottom left corner. McEachern High School’s address is 2400 New Macland Road, Powder Springs, GA 30127. For more information, please call 770-222-3710.

Staff writers Mike Morris, Andria Simmons, Michael Carvell, Larry Hartstein, Chip Towers and staff photographer John Spink contributed to this article.