Elijah Gomez, a freshman football player at Hamden High School, was tragically murdered walking home from school less than a week after his 15 ^th birthday. His death was completely unexpected and the family, school, and community are shocked and deeply saddened. Elijah was born on May 3 ^rd , 2007 in New London, Connecticut. Elijah was passionate about football, basketball, weight training, fashion, being in nature, and spending time with his friends and family. He was a generous and caring young man who was excited to become old enough to start working and pursue his goals. Passionate about nature, Elijah spent time volunteering on many occasions with Gather New Haven cleaning trash and building trails at the Long Wharf, Pond Lily, and Quinnipiac Meadows Nature Preserves. He loved camping with his grandmother and especially loved being around water. Anyone who knew Elijah, knew that he was a polite, gentle young man with a passion for sports and was always a source of positivity. Brothers were so important to Elijah, both family and his brothers in the football community. Elijah's memory will forever be cherished by his parents, Jennifer Cathcart and Ramon Gomez, and his grandparents, Tambria Moore, Mike Gomez , and Jaqueline Riddle, his siblings Da'Shenik Gomez, Ramel Williams, Trunell Gomez, Clayton Hardy, and Iyend'e Gomez, in addition to many cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. Contributions in memory of Elijah can be made to his mother's gofundme page which is raising money for the unexpected expenses related to his murder. Friends are invited to attend a church service WEDNESDAY, May 18 ^th at 10 A.M. in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 2819 Whitney Ave., Hamden. Burial will be private.

Fly high Elijah   #22 forever