Joe Frierson IV had several passions.
He loved teaching. He loved his family. And he loved his music.
Frierson, 37, connected with the students in his high school social studies classes. In his spare time, he performed as rapper “Bravo Young.” Married just over a year ago to wife, Shariah, Frierson also helped care for his parents, a former colleague told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
But all of that ended Saturday night when Frierson was gunned down on Walker Street in Atlanta. Officers responding to the Castleberry Hill neighborhood on an unrelated call found Frierson in the grass. He was dead from a gunshot wound, according to police.
On Wednesday, Atlanta police said the homicide remains under investigation. No arrests have been made.
The death of Frierson came as a shock to those who knew him, including his fellow teachers and students at two DeKalb County high schools. Frierson was teaching at M.L. King High School the current school year, but previously taught social studies at Clarkston High School, colleague Gloria Francis said.
Frierson was a popular teacher who often spent time helping students after school, Francis said.
“He had an image that promoted friendship and understanding to the students, as well as authority,” Francis said. “He was a great guy and always tried to do good for everyone.”
The funeral for Frierson will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Cascade United Methodist Church in Atlanta, according to his online obituary. The viewing will be Thursday from 1 to 9 p.m. at Murray Brothers Cascade Chapel, also in Atlanta.
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