A 15-year-old boy in North Carolina just wanted to enjoy the area’s first snowfall in three years. Aryion Clendenning, known as AJ, went out to play in the snow on January 11, 2025, and died a short time later in an apparent drive-by shooting. AJ’s death shook his community. Many people expressed their outrage and fear over an innocent child who wanted to play in the snow and wound up dead.
Police arrived at Magnolia Pointe Apartments just before 3 p.m. Saturday, according to WRAL. Officers found AJ with a gunshot wound. Emergency responders transported the teenager to an area hospital, where he died a short time later. WRAL reported that police placed 20 evidence markers on the ground while investigating the shooting.
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Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams expressed his displeasure via the news outlet, saying, “A kid should be able to play in the snow. I’ve gone from sad to mad as hell. I’m really frustrated.”
The mayor wasn’t the only person devastated by AJ’s death. A man who posts as Corn Bread on Facebook identified himself as AJ’s cousin. He wrote, “RIP AJ ..Please keep my family in your prayers .So sorry for you NeNe ,Siya and Nates loss. Can’t even play in the snow . Love always Im here fam for anything.”
Friends also commented with kind words.
One wrote, “Sorry for your loss of a young man that didn’t get to see 21or a graduation day….why.”
Another person commented, “I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sending my condolences to you and the family. “
The family gathered to honor AJ with a balloon release. According to ABC 11, the family released dozens of black and blue balloons at Magnolia Pointe Apartments on January 16 in AJ’s honor. His mother, Taniesha Baines, told the news outlet the loss of her son broke her heart.
“I’m tore up. I’m losing myself again. That’s what I didn’t want to do. He wasn’t a normal 15-year-old.” Baines added, “He was a gamer. He loved everybody.”
Life International Church Pastor Delon Fletcher raised an important question with ABC 11. “The challenge we have to issue is when is enough, enough? We are constantly losing young lives to senseless acts of gun violence,” he said.
AJ’s uncle, Nathan Baines, created a GoFundMe account to help AJ’s family with his final expenses.
“We are devastated by the loss of Aryion Clendenning, a vibrant and beloved member of our community. As we come together to mourn his passing, we are also coming together to support his family during this difficult time,” he wrote. “Aryion, also known as AJ, was a 15-year-old boy who was taken from us far too soon due to senseless gun violence. He was a dedicated student at Riverside High School in Durham, NC, where he excelled in football and enjoyed spending time playing games on his Playstation.”
The GoFundMe has raised Nearly $8,700 of a $9,500 goal thus far.
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Anyone with information should contact J. Smith at 919-560-4440, ext. 29365. Tips also can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by visiting durhamcrimestoppers.org or calling 919-683-1200.
