CHATHAM — After a 16-year-old Simeon sophomore was gunned down Saturday night, his wrestling coaches and teammates have launched a fundraiser to help cover funeral costs.
"We wanted to make sure he had a proper homegoing service," said David Burchett, the head wrestling coach at Simeon Career Academy, 8147 S. Vincennes Ave.
Michael Flournoy, 16, was visiting relatives in Burnside Saturday when he decided to buy some chips from a corner store around 8 p.m. The teen was gunned down as he walked in the 1000 block of East 93rd Street.
Police offered few details, and relatives assume he was the victim of a robbery that turned violent.
"It's something you wouldn't expect for somebody like Mike," Burchett said. "He wasn't any type of street kid. He wasn't a troubled youth. He was a good kid, great character. He played sports, did things the right way."
Burchett said Michael, who also played football, joined the wrestling team freshman year. At his first practice, the teen made a point to walk up to each coach, shake hands and introduce himself.
"I thought: Wow, this kid right here is kind of mature. He definitely stood out," Burchett said. "Most kids don't do that. They try to blend in."
Burchett said Michael wasn't the best wrestler, but was among the hardest workers. He lost most of his early matches, but soon brought home medals — making him an example for his teammates.
"Everything he got — he earned," Burchett said of Michael, who wrestled in the 152 weight class. "It's not about how much talent you have, but how much work you put into it."
Teammates have taken Michael's death hard, coaches said, and are throwing themselves into a fundraiser for his family, accessible online.
Relatives said Michael was a doting big brother to his three younger siblings, and was especially close to his mother, Tymeka Woods.
"They were like Siamese twins," said grandma Sabrina Butler.
