Pine Bluff teen killed in shooting honored through foundation that supports the community, high school football team
PINE BLUFF, Ark. – The Pine Bluff High School football team suffered a tragic loss on Jan. 12, 2024.
Their teammate, 16-year-old Kendall Burton, was killed at the intersection of South Georgia and East 25th Avenue.
'It's days that I think about the light that Kendall shined and what he left behind and it's just amazing,' Kendall's mother, Shaketa Simmons, said
Pine Bluff residents light candles in memory of their loved one killed by gun violence
Since Kendall's death, his family has given back in multiple ways, all in his memory.
Simmons and Mike Williams, Kendall's head football coach, started the Kendall Burton Foundation, raising thousands of dollars which has been used to pour back into the community and the football team.
'He left a legacy and a memory in a short amount of time,' Williams said.
Williams said Kendall's passing was 'devastating,' and he couldn't believe it because Kendall was such a great kid.
Simmons said because her son was a great kid, a doctor wanted to pour into the Kendall Burton Foundation.
Pine Bluff High School football player killed in shooting
Simmons said the doctor 'said she didn't know much about Kendall but heard such great things about Kendall.'
This led to more than $10,000 being raised in Kendall's name. With the money, the foundation purchased warm-up shirts for the team.
An annual football camp hosting 350 kids was also held in Kendall's honor. Coming up later this year will be the fourth year.
The most recent purchase from the foundation was a Jugs machine to help with catching the football.
Williams said the Jugs machine cost $5,000. The machine was fitting to honor Kendall because his position was receiver.
'This dude was a bad mama jama,' Williams said.
Simmons' message to others who are grieving is that 'grief doesn't have to hurt. Grief can be happy. You just have to find that within yourself and know that God got you.'
Pine Bluff police investigating Friday night shooting death of teen
If you would like to donate to the Kendall Burton Foundation, you can reach out to head coach Mike Williams by contacting Pine Bluff High School.
It's been over a year since Kendall's death and the Pine Bluff Police Department has not made an arrest. If you have any information, please reach out to the Pine Bluff Police Department.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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