Mother donates organs of teenage shooting victim

The 18-year-old male who was shot at a home on Hall Avenue over the weekend has died — and, through organ donation, has immeasurably benefitted the lives of five other people.

The Star has learned that the shooting victim, Darrion Moffatt of Windsor, was taken off life support on Monday afternoon as a result of the critical gunshot wound he suffered during the early morning hours of Sept. 8. According to a GoFundMe campaign in his name, Moffatt was “clinically brain dead” after the shooting.

His organs have since been harvested and donated to five people in need, at the decision of his mother, Carolyn Crankshaw. “Moments like these prove that even in the face of senseless violence, we can stand together, rise above the hate, and do something courageous,” wrote Paula Jessop, who started the campaign on Crankshaw’s behalf.

Along with his mother, Moffatt is survived by two brothers, a sister and many extended family members and friends.

The GoFundMe campaign was initially meant to help with funeral expenses. “His death was sudden and unexpected,” Jessop wrote. The campaign exceeded its goal of $5,000 within two days, but Jessop wrote that it will be kept active for a few more days in support of Moffatt’s family.

A Twitter account under Darrion Moffatt’s name reveals a Windsor teen with a penchant for rap music and street culture. Windsor police confirmed the identity of the shooting victim and his death, and announced on Tuesday that the case has now been classified a homicide investigation.

Questions remain about the fatal incident, which took place at 327 Hall Ave. shortly before 1:35 a.m. on Sept. 8.

A 19-year-old male suspect was arrested on the day of the shooting. As of Tuesday morning, he remained in custody and was expected to face a charge that police have yet to disclose.

It’s the sixth murder investigation launched by Windsor police this year — and the third homicide in the city in 2018 to involve firearm violence.

Chance Gauthier, 16, was found dead by gunshot on Church Street near downtown Windsor on Feb. 14.

Jason Solomon, 20, was fatally shot at the downtown intersection of Ouellette Avenue and University Avenue East on Aug. 27. The Windsor police major crimes branch is continuing to investigate.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call detectives at 519-255-6700, ext. 4830. Anonymous tips can be made via Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 or www.catchcrooks.com.