ALTON, Ill. — Jaiden Dahl, 17, was shot and killed inside an Alton apartment on the first day of the year. Now, his family in California is asking for the community's help in getting his body back home.
Police found Dahl with a gunshot wound at the apartment on Woodview Court Monday night, Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said. Dahl was flown to a St. Louis hospital for treatment, but later died from his injuries.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Alton teen killed in Monday night shooting
A fundraiser, verified by GoFundMe, set up by a friend of Dahl's family is now asking for donations to transport his body back to California to give him a proper burial. Tanya Osborne, the GoFundMe's organizer, said she's a friend to Dahl's mother, but considers her a sister.
"His mother plans to have his funeral local so his loved ones can say their final goodbyes, but it's his mother's desire that Jaiden be buried in their hometown," Osborne said. "His mother has already endured enough hurt and now as she is planning to lay her baby to rest I wanted to lighten the load for her. Let's be the village she so desperately needs right now."
The GoFundMe has raised $1,000 of its $7,000 goal as of Friday afternoon. Click here to donate. Another GoFundMe was created to raise funds for Dahl's funeral expenses. Donate to that fundraiser here.
The Alton Police Department is investigating the shooting. Officers have not yet shared details on potential suspects in Dahl's death.
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