Latest news with #MatthewSchultz
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Boy killed in parade accident remembered at 2 Friday vigils: ‘He was a light'
NORTH CANTON, Ohio (WJW) – Hundreds of grieving neighbors, family members and friends gathered to remember 13-year-old Matthew Schultz at two vigils Friday night. The first event was a private rosary service held at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Green because Matthew was an altar server and loved his faith. 'That's the one thing that keeps us smiling through our tears, that Matthew lives forever. When God gives a gift, he gives it forever,' said Fr. David Durkee, becoming choked up. The second memorial and night of remembrance started later around 8 p.m. at Witwer Park in North Canton next to North Canton Middle School. I-TEAM: New development in unsolved Cleveland Metroparks double murder Hundreds came out in force and in costume. Some wore blue clothing, which was his favorite color. Others dressed up like characters from Star Wars, but they all carried lights. 'Light because he was a light,' said organizer Rachel Hoffman Murray. 'We've got the glow sticks and light sabers, flashlights and a chance to kind of shine in that darkness.' Matthew's death on Memorial Day has devastated the area after the teen fell from a trailer during the parade. Also in attendance at the vigil were members of the Ohio Garrison 501st Legion Star Wars Cosplayers who were at the parade that day. They said he was always full of joy, curiosity and laughter. 'Matthew was a huge Star Wars fan. Some of our members even got a chance to speak with him before the incident and he was very excited to see us,' said David Hise, Ohio Garrison 501st Commander. Graduating East Cleveland students fulfill a special pact from middle school The vigil was designed to help everyone honor Matthew's life and cope with the tragic loss. 'To recognize Matthew, recognize his family and just, you know, honor the time that we had with him,' said Hoffman-Murray. The community is also allying behind the family in other ways too, from upcoming restaurant fundraisers to selling specially designed t-shirts. 'My daughter knew Matthew. We couldn't believe it and we just wanted to do something to help,' said Ashley Humphrey. They said they want to be a force of heartfelt solidarity and tangible support for Matthew's family during this difficult time. 'I think that's part of the healing process, everyone coming together supporting one another,' said Hise. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
13-Year-Old Boy Identified After Fatal Fall from Memorial Day Parade Trailer
A 13-year-old succumbed to his injuries after falling from a trailer he was riding on during a Memorial Day parade in Ohio The Summit County Sheriff's Office identified the victim as Matthew Schultz "His spirit and the love he gave so freely will live on in everyone he touched," according to the teen's obituaryThe 13-year-old Ohio boy killed in a Memorial Day parade accident was remembered as a fun and loving son and brother who loved Star Wars, fruit snacks and video games. The Summit County Sheriff's Office identified the victim as Matthew Schultz of North Canton on Tuesday, May 27, According to authorities, Matthew was riding on a trailer sponsored by Air Ninja Gym as part of the City of Green's Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26. A Ford F-150 pickup truck was pulling the trailer, described as a dual-axle car hauler. 'The truck and trailer were approximately 200 feet north of the roundabout at Massillon Road and Steese Road when Matthew fell from the front of the trailer and was subsequently struck by the trailer's tires,' according to the sheriff's office. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Emergency responders rendered aid to Matthew and transported him to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, the sheriff's office added. Authorities said there were about seven children between the ages of 7 and 13 riding in the trailer with an adult present on either side. They added that the trailer and truck were traveling below 5 mph. 'I want to offer my personal condolences to the family and the entire Summit County Sheriff's Office as well. It's a horrible time for all of you. We're very sorry,' Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree said at a press conference on Tuesday. The sheriff's office said the investigation into the incident remains ongoing. Fatheree also asked the public to respect the family's need for privacy at the moment. According to Matthew's obituary, the teen was born in Canton and attended North Canton Middle School. 'Matthew brought a lifetime's worth of joy to those who knew him. He was a bright light full of curiosity, laughter, and love,' his obituary read. 'He was always quick with a smile and a kind word. To his friends he was loyal, funny, and kind. The type of friend you made for life.' The tribute also noted that Matthew was born with a congenital heart defect and underwent numerous surgical procedures. 'He never stopped fighting to get stronger,' according to the obituary. 'Through all of this he kept his spirits up and always made others feel better.' Matthew is survived by his parents, his sister, his grandparents and other relatives. A funeral service is scheduled on Tuesday, June 3. 'Matthew's absence leaves a hole that cannot be filled, but his spirit and the love he gave so freely will live on in everyone he touched,' the obituary stated. A GoFundMe was created on behalf of Matthew's family to pay for their loved one's funeral expenses. 'Matthew was a fun, loving, Star Wars-obsessed, fruit snack-loving, amazing young man. He was the best son and big brother. He was everyone's best friend. The love we had for him is immeasurable,' the fundraiser description read. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
‘Heartbreaking': Support floods in for family of teen killed in Green parade accident
NORTH CANTON, Ohio (WJW) – The people of North Canton are mourning the loss of 13-year-old Matthew Schultz, who passed away on Monday after a tragic accident at the Memorial Day parade in Green. Investigators said Matthew fell off of a parade trailer that was being pulled by a pickup truck, and was then struck by the back wheels of the trailer as it slowly continued to roll along the parade route. Matthew was a seventh grader at North Canton Middle School and on Tuesday, his grieving classmates decorated his locker with notes showing their love and support for the 13-year-old. 'A bright light': Teen who died after fall from Memorial Day parade float in Green remembered as 'loyal and funny' Among those deeply touched by the story is 18-year-old Peyton Craig, a 2025 graduate of North Canton High School. 'Hearing that it happened to someone in our community was heartbreaking. Like, I just had to take a moment and pause and think about it because that could happen to anybody at any time,' she said. Craig was part of a junior achievement team that created what they call the 'Calm Canvas.' Each canvas is a paint by numbers image that enables those dealing with loss or trauma to express their emotion in colors that match their feelings. She is donating Calm Canvases to each of the schools in North Canton as healing tools for grief counselors, as they meet with students and staff struggling with Matthew's death. 'When they are coloring, they are learning and practicing coping mechanisms that they can take with them for the rest of their lives,' she said. During a press conference in Green on Tuesday morning, Danielle Paciorek, who is a spokesperson for the Schultz family, told reporters, 'I'm speaking on behalf of the family of Matthew Schultz, who are experiencing unimaginable heartbreak after the tragic loss of their beautiful beloved son Matthew.' Close friends have created a GoFundMe page to support Matthew's family and donations have been made by people across Northeast Ohio. 'The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to everyone who has reached out with love and support and prayers, all the support over these few days,' said Paciorek. Cleveland non-profit recruiting Black families for dementia care program One of the most touching demonstrations of support for Matthew's family came from Green firefighters who rushed to his side at the parade on Monday. Their union is now donating money that was raised from their annual pancake breakfast on Memorial Day to Matthew's loved ones. The people of North Canton and the surrounding areas of Stark County and Summit County said they are letting the family know that they are being held in loving and healing arms. 'Matthew's absence leaves a hole that can't be filled, but his spirit will live on for everyone he touched,' Paciorek said. Learn more about the GoFundMe page right here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Community raises thousands for family after 13-year-old killed in Green parade accident
GREEN, Ohio (WJW) – Family and friends are remembering 13-year-old Matthew Schultz after he was killed in an accident during the Memorial Day parade in Green on Monday. Just one day after the accident, the community is coming together in support of the family and for those who knew him best. 'I'm speaking on behalf of the Schultz family who is experiencing an unimaginable heartbreak after the tragic loss of their beautiful beloved son Matthew.' 'A bright light': Teen who died after fall from Memorial Day parade float in Green remembered as 'loyal and funny' While the family continues to mourn in private, their close friends arspoke on their behalf during a news conference in Green on Tuesday morning. 'The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to everyone who has reached out with love and support and prayers, all the support over these few days,' family spokesperson Danielle Paciorek said. Flags now flying at half staff throughout the city of North Canton in honor of the 13-year-old killed after falling off a parade float. He is being remembered as a bright light full of curiosity, laughter and love. He had a passion for Star Wars and his favorite snack in the world was Fruit Roll-Ups. North Canton City Schools declined to comment on the tragedy, saying in a statement that they are focusing on supporting students and staff during this difficult time. Rick Derringer, Ohio native singer, songwriter with ties to Ohio State, dies In addition to grief counselors at North Canton High School, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help ease the family's burden of funeral expenses and bills — allowing them to focus more, friends said, on healing. 'Matthew's absence leaves a hole that can't be filled, but his spirit will live on in everyone he touched.' Grief counselors are being made available until 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Details on funeral arrangements have not yet been released, but services will more than likely be held at Christ the Servant Parish where Matthew was an alter server. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Young boy, 13, dies in freak accident at Memorial Day Parade
A 13-year-old Ohio boy was tragically killed during a Memorial Day parade after he fell off a trailer and was run over in front of the horrified crowd. Matthew Schultz, a student from North Canton, died Monday after falling from an Air Ninja Gym float during the annual parade in the city of Green. The trailer, which carried six other children ages 7 to 13, was being escorted by two adults walking alongside it when the tragic accident occurred. The float was representing a children's gym in Green and it was attached to a dual-axle car hauler being pulled by a Ford F-150 pick-up truck, which was driving at or below 5 miles an hour at the time of the accident, according to the sheriff's office. The boy fell at around 11:30am before being then struck by the trailer's wheels, according to the Summit County Medical Examiner. Paramedics from the Green Fire Department were following directly behind the float and rushed to help. Matthew was transported to Akron Children's Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 12:04pm, just over 30 minutes after the incident. 'Our hearts go out to the family this time a terrible loss, we look to support them as a green community any way that we can,' Mayor Rocco Yeargin said. 'Our school district has reached out to the school district of North Canton to offer counselors that will be in action to help their students walk through this issue.' The teen attended North Canton City Schools, according to the Summit County Sheriff's Office. North Canton City Schools released a heartbreaking statement, saying Matthew was 'a kind and caring student' who brought joy to those around him. 'The loss of a young life is deeply devastating, and our thoughts and prayers are with Matthew's family, friends, classmates, and teachers during this unimaginable time.' 'He was a kind and caring student. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and to everyone affected by this tragedy.' 'Please know that our crisis management teams have been activated and we will have counseling services and resources available for students and staff at each of our buildings. Please encourage those around you to seek support.' Danielle Paciorek, who spoke on behalf of the Schultz family, said Matthew 'brought a lifetime worth of joy to those who knew him.' 'Matthew was just 13 years old, but in that short time, he brought a lifetime worth of joy to those who knew him. He was a bright light, full of curiosity, laughter and love,' she said.
