Vigil held for Harnett Central student who drowned
HARNETT COUNTY, NC (WTVD) -- Tuesday evening, a shocked community of young people gathered to show their grief and love for Justice Clark.
The 18-year-old drowned Monday afternoon while swimming in a lake near Lillington.
Clark was a talented defensive tackle for the Harnett Central High School Trojans. Now, his former teammates have been turned into mourners.
"I'm still in shock. I'm not sure what to say. I don't know why anything like this would happen. But I know God has a plan," offered Clint Harrop.
A candlelight vigil under the Kipling Cross on Highway 401 began at 7:30 Tuesday - almost 24 hours after Clark's body was recovered. Now his fellow Trojans - brawny young men who may have thought themselves invincible just a day ago - were brought to tears and must face the mortality of their beloved teammate.
"There's no words to describe how the team feels because we didn't just lose a player or a friend, we lost a family member," explained Andrew Thompson.
Grief counselors were available all day at Harnett Central High Tuesday. Clark was a senior set to graduate in days. He was headed to ECU in the fall to study engineering.
Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Cape Fear Conference A Headquarters at 25 Beaver Road in Erwin.
