Friends of Tyre Nichols plan to hold a candlelight vigil in his honor on Monday at a Sacramento-area skate park.Regency Community Skatepark in North Natomas is a place where his childhood friends say they shared a lot of memories while growing up in Sacramento. “He was just such a genuine person and just such a good friend and to see that happen is, it’s just very sad,” said Nick Dragonetti, a friend who said he met Nichols at the skatepark when they were in middle school.Jerome Neal also met Nichols at the skatepark, about 13 years ago. “He was super sweet, super kind, very humble,” Neal said.The friends did not talk as frequently after Nichols moved to Memphis, Tennessee, but Neal reached out when he visited Memphis last October.”He linked up with me at the skatepark, and he and I just skated for half the day. We hung out like it was old times. Didn’t miss a beat,” Neal said.It was a little bit of time together that means a lot to him, especially now.”That day was amazing, and now it keeps getting better due to the situation because I’ll never have another one with him,” Neal said.The 29-year-old FedEx worker and father died on Jan. 10 after he was beaten by police officers during a traffic stop.”It was so unbelievable. Our Tyre, the guy we loved. The guy that brought us so much good energy is just gone, just like that,” Neal said.The story has captured the nation’s attention.”A lot of skateboarders across the country feel for Tyre,” Dragonetti said.On social media, professional skateboarder Tony Hawk shared a video of Nichols skating.Nichols often went to Regency Community Skatepark, where his friends plan to gather Monday night to remember him.Neal said he will be there even though he was originally supposed to spend the week in Phoenix.”I’m just canceling half my trip here and going to Sacramento. Something in my heart is telling me I need to be there. Simple as that,” he said.
Friends of Tyre Nichols plan to hold a candlelight vigil in his honor on Monday at a Sacramento-area skate park.
Regency Community Skatepark in North Natomas is a place where his childhood friends say they shared a lot of memories while growing up in Sacramento.
“He was just such a genuine person and just such a good friend and to see that happen is, it’s just very sad,” said Nick Dragonetti, a friend who said he met Nichols at the skatepark when they were in middle school.
Jerome Neal also met Nichols at the skatepark, about 13 years ago.
“He was super sweet, super kind, very humble,” Neal said.
The friends did not talk as frequently after Nichols moved to Memphis, Tennessee, but Neal reached out when he visited Memphis last October.
“He linked up with me at the skatepark, and he and I just skated for half the day. We hung out like it was old times. Didn’t miss a beat,” Neal said.
It was a little bit of time together that means a lot to him, especially now.
“That day was amazing, and now it keeps getting better due to the situation because I’ll never have another one with him,” Neal said.
The 29-year-old FedEx worker and father died on Jan. 10 after he was beaten by police officers during a traffic stop.
“It was so unbelievable. Our Tyre, the guy we loved. The guy that brought us so much good energy is just gone, just like that,” Neal said.
The story has captured the nation’s attention.
“A lot of skateboarders across the country feel for Tyre,” Dragonetti said.
On social media, professional skateboarder Tony Hawk shared a video of Nichols skating.
Nichols often went to Regency Community Skatepark, where his friends plan to gather Monday night to remember him.
Neal said he will be there even though he was originally supposed to spend the week in Phoenix.
“I’m just canceling half my trip here and going to Sacramento. Something in my heart is telling me I need to be there. Simple as that,” he said.
