DELRAY BEACH – Four former high school football players are mourning the loss of Wright Sando, a West Boca Raton alum and Delray Beach native who was shot and killed in Arkansas on the night of June 1.

Details from the shooting are scarce at this time, as a report posted in the Times Record and credited to reporter Max Brown said the Fort Smith Police found Sando dead at the scene, which was located at Pike Place Apartments.

The discovery was reportedly made after a call around 11:10 p.m. Monday (June 1) for gunshots in the area, according to police spokesperson Aric Mitchell.

Mitchell reportedly did not comment on the circumstances that led to the homicide and said the cause of death had not yet been determined.

Police on Tuesday afternoon (June 2) had not arrested anyone in Sando’s death but had interviewed multiple witnesses on scene, according to Brown’s article in the Times Record.

The only other thing we do know at this time is that there is a planned candlelight vigil ceremony in honor of the West Boca Raton 2015 alum on Friday, June 12. We will have more information on that later this week.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following four former Palm Beach County high school football players wrote their Sando tributes in their own way: Jevaughn Codlin (Village Academy 2016 alum), Aaron Robinson (Deerfield Beach 2016 alum), Jerrod Ferguson (Delray Beach Atlantic 2016 alum), and Antonio Cartagena (Deerfield Beach 2015 alum).

JEVAUGHN CODLIN – VILLAGE ACADEMY 2016 ALUM

Our brother Wright Sando’s death shocks us and leaves us saddened with so many unanswered questions. Wright was a true friend and brother. He recently became a dad to a beautiful baby girl, and I know he will be watching over her as he watches over us as well.

I met Wright in 2014 through football 7-on-7’s against West Boca Raton. I was at Village Academy, and even though we weren’t teammates, we somehow connected from that. We both exchanged contact information so that we could begin to train with each other.

We instantly felt like we have known each other for years. We were similar in so many ways, so much so that we viewed the game through the same pair of lenses. We both were undersized defensive backs with big hearts and unmatched work ethics to match.

He would outwork me most times. He really wanted to be great. And even when we didn’t grind, he was always in my ear in some way, motivating me in the process.

He became my brother. I saw so much of myself in him, I felt like I was talking to myself most times. I was filled with joy when he committed to ECU (East Central University) in Oklahoma. It was a full ride scholarship. He fought his way through and prevailed.

He taught me so much about to game, and for that I am grateful. We always had great conversations filled with love, hope, and motivation. The love I have for him will never change. People like Sando don’t come around often. He touched lives every time he was around.

His words were so powerful, and he always knew how to make someone go even harder for what they love. I won’t forget what he told me. He told me to finish, and he knew I was gonna make it to the NFL. He never failed to tell me I was special and that I was going to be great.

Wright, I love you brother. Until we meet again.

AARON ROBINSON – DEERFIELD BEACH 2016 ALUM

Wright was one of the most authentic souls I have ever come across. He was way before his time on how he spoke about situation. His wise words were so pure and meaningful from the heart. His conversation and advice were so motivational to others.

He always made sure he invested his time into everyone. He kept a clear mind with reminders of how great they were gonna be in life or how great they could be, taking cautious steps in life. His energy was one that not too many could match. He made sure to keep a smile on his face and made the people around him laugh. He also could make his company around him want to get up and go chase their dreams at any given second, no matter the time of day.

He never looked for excuses from anyone else. Sando, as his close ones called him, made you feel so comfortable and at home. He always poured love out to you and did anything he could to help at any given second. I respected him the most for it.

I will miss my brother and will never forget what he taught me. I love you brother. Fly High Family.

JERROD FERGUSON – ATLANTIC 2016 ALUM

Wright Sando was one of the most hard working people I know. He was the type of person that will give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. Wright Sando will tell what you need to hear, not something you want to hear. He was the type of friend you need when you going through something because in some way, he always knew what to say to help you refocus and to grind ten times harder.

One thing I respect most about Wright is that he never quit. When things got tough in his life, he always used that to motivate him to always get better on and off the field. I thank God for placing Wright in my life because he showed my the true definition of perseverance. He just kept fighting.

I wish I could tell my brother I love him and I’m proud of him one more time. Rest in peace, Sando.

ANTONIO CARTEGENA – DEERFIELD BEACH 2015 ALUM

Sando was always my brother, no matter what. We would fall off and get back right all the time, no matter what. I remember he gave me one of his outfits to wear because I wasn’t satisfied with my own. My brother was a real one. We went through so much together, I can talk about it forever.

I remember the first day we met. We were at Patch Reef Park, playing for the Boca Jets 135-pound team. We were in line during a drill waiting for our turn, and he said, “Where are you from?” I told him, “I’m from Broward, Deerfield Beach. Where are you from?” Sando said, “I’m from Palm Beach, Delray Beach.”

Ever since then, me and Wright were cool. We got closer when I finally transferred to West Boca. My boy was straight motivation and his work ethic was on a high level. He would always motivate me and encourage me to do what’s right.

Me and my boy would always vent to each other and check on each other. I just wish we can talk one more time. We fell out about something stupid, but I knew me and him would bounce back real quick like always. That is what brothers do. We fight and make up.

PLEASE NOTE: The player tributes were edited in the process, which means it differs somewhat from their original versions.

Also, you could read the Sando article from the Times Record right here: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.swtimes.com/news/20200602/police-investigate-homicide-weapon-discharge%3ftemplate=ampart