CLAYTON VILLAGE — Jonathan Hall rode the rails.
Most knew him as “Jon Flee,” a music lover and an artist. He spent his autumns harvesting beets in Minnesota, his winters working as a cook in New Orleans and his springs and summers criss-crossing the continent in old, rusty freight trains. Sometimes he hitch-hiked or caught rides with friends.
“He was a natural hobo,” Hall”s mother, Barbara, said Wednesday from her home in Clayton Village.
Last week, Hall, who attended Starkville High School for two years in the late 1990s, was shot and killed in New Orleans. He was 27.
New Orleans police were dispatched to Hall”s home in the 1200 block of St. Roch Avenue shortly after 11 p.m. on Dec. 23 and found him suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene shortly thereafter and pronounced him dead.
Barbara Hall says she talked to her son the night before he was killed and he told her several robberies had taken place in the area recently. The previous night, someone knocked on Hall”s door, then ran away when he asked who was there, Barbara Hall said.
Benjamin and Barbara Hall believe their son may have walked in on a burglary in progress. He was found just inside his door.
“I think it happened so fast, he didn”t even know he had been shot,” Barbara Hall said. “I don”t think he even had time to think.”
New Orleans police arrested two black males, a 15- and 16-year-old, in connection to the case, according to Benjamin Hall, who spoke with a detective this morning. A police spokesperson could not be reached by press time to confirm the arrests.
The investigation is ongoing, NOPD Public Information Officer Garry Flot said, Wednesday. Hall”s death was one of three homicides in the city that night.
Hall grew up in Illinois, but the family moved to Starkville when he was in his early teens, Barbara Hall said. After a brief stint at Starkville High, Hall moved to Portland, Ore., and lived with his sister, Benjamin Hall said.
At 16, Hall “took off” and began traveling the world, his father said. He spent time in Alaska and Asia, but also traveled through Canada and most of the U.S.
“I really don”t know how it all came about,” Benjamin Hall said of his son”s lifestyle. “I never did this. Nobody I know ever did this.”
Hall”s parents never admonished him for the path he chose, Barbara Hall said.
“We approved of everything he did,” she said. “It was unconditional.”
The Halls wanted their son to travel to Starkville for Christmas, but he declined, saying he already had plans with friends in New Orleans. The Halls had only seen their son three times in the last four years, Barbara Hall said. Now the couple is coping with his death.
“Part of my heart is gone,” Barbara Hall said. “Part of my life is gone. He was my baby.”
The Halls have received a tremendous outpouring of support from their late son”s friends. Many have shared stories and memories about Hall”s kindness and character, of fun times and exciting adventures, Barbara Hall said.
At one time, Hall worked for a woman in Austin, Texas, who also raised funds for refugees in Burma, Barbara Hall said. Instead of taking his full pay, Hall told his employer to keep some of his share and give it to the people in need.
Since his death, Hall”s friends and acquaintances also have filled Facebook and blog pages with memories of, stories about and tributes to their fallen fellow.
“I”m not just saying this because of he was my son, but he really was a special person,” Barbara Hall said.
Anyone with information on Hall”s death can call New Orleans Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or 1-877-903-STOP.
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