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Local artists donate to Rocky scholarship fund in memory of Derek Jackson

Almost a year after Derek Jackson was shot and killed in a Rock Island home, his friends and family held an event at Barrel House in Moline to raise funds for t...

Almost a year after Derek Jackson was shot and killed in a Rock Island home, his friends and family held an event at Barrel House in Moline to raise funds for the scholarship made in his name.

Jackson, a popular tattoo artist, died after he was shot December 18, 2013 at a home on 16th Avenue. He left behind a large circle of friends and family, including his three-year-old son.

Shortly thereafter, police arrested 20-year-old Aaron Henderson, who was charged with first-degree murder, and 24-year-old Yolanduis McDuffie of Moline, charged with attempted armed robbery and two counts of first-degree murder.

Since then, a scholarship has been started in Jackson's name, through the Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation. Each year, the scholarship awards $500 to one student from Rock Island High School who has gone through the school's art program.

On Sunday, November 23, 2014, the event at Barrel House in Moline helped raise funds for the scholarship fund.

Artwork done by area artists lined the walls for a silent auction, and food, drinks, and raffles also raised money for the cause.

"It's kind of bittersweet. It's hard to even grasp that he's gone," said Susan Poe, Jackson's mother.

"It's hard to even explain the pain we've been through. I think the worst thing to see is what [Derek] and his son have lost, because his son meant so much to him and he loved being a father," Poe said.

Renee Schneckloth was Derek's good friend, and wanted to host the event at Barrel House in Moline from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

"We all needed something a little bit positive with everything that has been going on, and I'm the assistant manager here at Barrel House so I figured no better place to have it than where I work," Schneckloth said.

"I think this is exactly what Derek would want. If he would have had us do anything it would have been this. Just getting together, having a good time, artists collaborating together you know, bouncing ideas off of each other," said Schneckloth.

The event on Sunday raised $4,600 for the scholarship fund.

The trial date for the two suspects, Henderson and McDuffie, was initially set for December 2, 2014. However, forensic scientists on the case said that date may change based on their availability.

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