‘Wonderful spirit’: Metro Atlanta high school wrestler killed in crash

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — The Buford High School community is mourning the loss of a star athlete.

Aaron Kirkland, 16, was killed in a crash Monday night at Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Little Mill Road. Kirkland was a wrestler at the school and was just days shy of his 17th birthday when he died.

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A memorial has been set up near the crash site. Friends and family wrote the name “Aaron” on a cross.

On Wednesday, fellow student Jake Pope told Washington how the school community is dealing with the sudden loss.

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“I saw people crying in the halls. We actually shut down practice yesterday for all athletic departments. It was a tough time,” Pope said. “We’re all wearing blue today because it’s his favorite color so we’re all trying to honor him,” student Jake Pope said.

On social media Tuesday evening, The Buford Wolves wrestling team wrote in part:

“The Buford wrestling family is hurting today at the loss of one of our wrestlers. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family. Please keep his family and our wrestling family in your thoughts.”

“He was loved by everyone in the school.”

Kirkland’s family has set up a GoFundMe account. They plan to donate the money raised to a charity in Aaron’s name.

“He had a wonderful spirit, kind heart, and he was amazing at sports,” his cousin wrote on the GoFundMe page.

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