Obituaries

Aryion "AJ" Clendenning, Durham, North Carolina

Durham, North Carolina – The Durham community is grieving the untimely death of Aryion "AJ" Clendenning, a 15-year-old student and athlete, who was fatally shot on January 6, 2025, at the Magnolia Pointe Apartments.

AJ, a freshman at Riverside High School, was known for his vibrant spirit, athleticism, and dedication to his studies. He was a promising football player who brought energy and enthusiasm to his team, showing commitment both on and off the field.

A bright student with a playful sense of humor, AJ balanced his academic and extracurricular life with an infectious joy for life. He was deeply loved by his friends, family, and teachers, who will remember him as a young man full of potential.

The tragedy is compounded by the fact that AJ’s close friend, Z’yon Person, a victim of gun violence in 2019, also lost his life to senseless violence. Sandra Person, Z’yon’s grandmother, expressed her heartbreak: "Five years later, another grandson of mine is gone because of gun violence."

The community of Durham continues to rally behind AJ’s family during this difficult time, demonstrating solidarity through a GoFundMe campaign for his funeral expenses.

AJ’s passing serves as a painful reminder of the need to address gun violence, a problem that has taken too many young lives in Durham.

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Amelia Jackson in Obituaries Category

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