Family, friends, and teachers are mourning the death of a D.C. high school student who was fatally shot after trying to defend himself during an attempted robbery, which led to a double homicide in Northeast on Wednesday evening.

D.C. police say that 16-year-old Zaire Kelly tried to protect himself by stabbing an attempted robber with a pocket knife in Brentwood. The suspect, who police have identified as 19-year-old Sequan Gillis, then shot Kelly in the head.

Both teens, who were Northeast residents, were pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham described Kelly at a press conference as an excellent student and track athlete. “So this is a tragic occurrence,” he said.

Detectives say that Kelly was walking home from a convenience store when he was approached by Gilles in a small park in the 2200 block of 13th Street NE. Neighbors told Fox 5 News that the park has been called “Get Robbed Park” because it’s known for robberies, and they’ve asked for more police presence there.

Earlier that evening, Kelly attended a college preparatory class, according to a program mentor.

Teachers from Thurgood Marshall Academy in Southeast, where Kelly was a senior, told The Washington Post that Kelly was energetic, a focused student, and friendly with his peers.

“He was mature. He was doing his work and he was asking questions. He was a role model,” said Christina Camps, his junior year algebra teacher.

Fox 5 tweeted a video of Kelly receiving an award from D.C. Attorney General Karl Raccine.

“He would always interact and didn’t shy away,” Liza Enrich, Kelly’s chemistry teacher, told The Post. “He was super personable. He told me, ‘I want to be engaged.’ ”

Kelly’s twin brother Zion was one of many people who took to social media to share photos, videos, and their condolences.

Filed Under: double homicide, Sequan Gillis, thurgood marshall high school, zion kelly,