Ex-grid star dies, family, friends say

Former R.E. Lee High School football star Reginald “Shay” Nicholson, 19, died Friday at the University of Virginia Medical Center less than two weeks after suffering a gunshot wound to the head, according to relatives and friends.

Emotions swirled throughout the day as reporters responded to conflicting information about Nicholson’s status. Harrisonburg police, who refused to identify Nicholson as the victim in the shooting, denied repeatedly that he had died after reports began surfacing in the morning, when The News Virginian first posted the story based on information provided by friends of the former Liberty University recruit.

As the day unfolded, Nicholson’s friends stood by their claims. So, too, did Nicholson’s aunt and cousin, interviewed at their Lyle Avenue home in Staunton later in the evening.

“It’s been a rough road ... he is deceased,” said an aunt, who identified herself only as Mrs. Taylor. Her last name and address matched that of a relative of Nicholson found in public records searches by The News Virginian.

Officials at the University of Virginia Medical Center did not return calls. A reporter who visited the hospital in the late afternoon in an attempt to make contact with Nicholson’s family was told that relatives had left and would not be returning.

“Shay was declared brain dead last night and he is no longer living on this earth anymore,” Keisha Nicholson, who identified herself as his cousin, wrote in an e-mail. Her name matched those found in public records searches for Nicholson’s relatives.

Harrisonburg prosecutor Marsha Garst could not be reached for comment.

Nicholson was shot in the back of the head Nov. 9 during an “open-door party” in Harrisonburg at an off-campus housing complex near James Madison University. He remained in critical condition for nearly two weeks.

Five people have been arrested in the case, which sparked an outpouring of emotion for Nicholson, beloved by friends for his sense of humor.

Cindy Wood, a friend of Nicholson’s, organized a vigil on his family’s behalf that drew more than 100 people to Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton. Wood posted news of his death Friday on a fundraising Facebook group for his family.

“The family needs your prayers more than anything right now,” Wood’s message said.

Wood said in an e-mail that another fundraiser is likely.

“Rest In Peace” messages for Nicholson spread Friday on Facebook pages and elsewhere on the Internet.

At the vigil, Nicholson’s cousin, Matt Ware, 19, of Staunton, who was with Nicholson on the night of the shooting, said Nicholson was targeted. Ware was adamant that Nicholson was not part of a gang, although authorities have brought gang participation charges against the suspects.

On the night of the shooting, Ware said he saw the men involved in the shooting come in flashing gang signs.

A fight broke out. The first shot fired, Ware said, was indiscriminate; the second shot wasn’t, missing a female companion of theirs but hitting Nicholson.

A popular two-sport athlete, Nicholson rushed for more than 1,200 yards in his senior season at R.E. Lee. He did not play as a freshman at Liberty last year and left school in the spring, officials said. He was attending classes at Blue Ridge Community College.

Zackery Turner, 18, of Charlottesville, is charged with firing the gunshot that hit Nicholson. Jahmaine Faqiri, 18; Gregory Baker, 20; Demonds Parrish, 19; and Ricky Parrish, 21, all of Ruckersville, all were charged with assault and battery by a mob and gang participation. Faqiri also was charged with brandishing a firearm.

Harrisonburg police Lt. Kurt Boshart during a news conference last week described the suspects as having a “propensity for violence,” but declined to name their gang.