As Jacksonville mourns 17-year-old Talisse Patterson, a former coach is remembering her as a kind, respectful student with exceptional athletic talent.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Family and friends are grieving Patterson’s death after a shooting outside a Halloween party over the weekend. Cliff Collins, who coached Patterson’s sixth-grade girls’ basketball team at Springfield Elementary School, said she made a lasting impression through her kindness, good manners and natural ability on the court.
“I’ve been teaching since 2005, and you know a different child when you see one,” Collins said while describing the teenager’s impact on his life.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said Patterson was waiting in line outside the party along Arlington Expressway when an argument erupted among people waiting to enter. Shots were fired shortly afterward, killing Patterson and injuring two others.
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Collins remembered Patterson as a respectful young woman who looked for ways to help those around her. He also praised the athletic gifts she possessed. “A bullet doesn’t have a name on it when these things happen. It’s very tragic,” he said.
The tragedy is particularly painful for Collins because Patterson had so much of her future ahead of her. “That is someone, you know, doesn’t deserve that. Her life is ahead of her. I’m sure she was doing great in high school,” he said.
Collins said he hopes Patterson’s loved ones feel the community’s support as they cope with the loss. “To her family, we love you and I’m sorry that this happened and we’re here for you,” he said. “Hopefully the community comes and just surrounds them with love and shows compassion to what’s going on.”
First Coast News contacted the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for a status update in the investigation. No arrests had been announced as of Wednesday evening.
