Community Envelopes Brick Memorial Teen's Mourning Family

BRICK, NJ — Jackson Daniel Mueller was the kind of teen every parent brags about.

He was an honors student in Brick Memorial's STEM program and headed to MATES, the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science next fall as he chased his dream of becoming an engineer.

He was the older brother who fiercely protected his younger brother with special needs and who always had time for art and reading with his sister and a good game of chess with his youngest brother.

"He loved his parents and grandparents very much and wasn't afraid to tell them in front of his friends," according to his obituary on the O'Brien Home For Funerals website.

Jackson Mueller also was the sort of kid who drew people to him, because he was kind and thoughtful.

That was obvious Wednesday evening as hundreds of people turned out for a vigil at Brick Memorial High School to mourn the 15-year-old, who was killed Tuesday morning as he rode his bicycle to school.

His death, the result of a speeding driver who hit him in a crosswalk, has rocked the community. The driver, arrested and charged with knowingly leaving the scene of a crash, is being held in the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center. Authorities have not released his identity because he is a minor.

Even as thunder rumbled in the distance and rain began to soak the crowd, teens dressed in black shirts carrying candles and parents with younger children in tow continued to walk into the parking lot at the school.

With concerns about lightning, a pastor spoke briefly leading the crowd in the Lord's Prayer, before Jackson's brothers and sister tried to release a cluster of uncooperative silver star balloons.

Chrissie Arif, the family friend who organized the vigil and launched a GoFundMe campaign to help his family, then thanked everyone for coming out to support the family.

"We may not be able to light our candles but light them at home, to remember Jackson," she said.

As she spoke, the rain stopped and the thunder dissipated. Those who gathered lit candles and some approached Jackson's parents and siblings, offering hugs. Some brought flowers.

Most just came to show their support in ever-widening circle in the parking lot. (See more photos at the bottom of this article.)

"This community, as big as it is, is really more like a small town," said Superintendent Thomas G. Farrell, who was present along with multiple members of the district's administration and members of the Board of Education. "This is what makes this community great. We come together."

A flyer circulating on social media Thursday emphasized the unity of the district, something district officials have worked hard to build over the last several years. It has an illustration of Brick Memorial and Brick Township High School students arm-in-arm facing a glowing heart Jackson's name. Above the illustration it reads, "Two Schools. Two Sides. One Community. We All Stand Together."

Below the illustration, a similar message, "Two Schools. Two Sides of Town. But We Are One. We Stand Together," followed by "Today we come together as one to honor a life taken too soon. Our pain is shared. Our love is stronger. Our community is unbreakable. Jackson, you will never be forgotten."

"We Stand Together. We Remember. We Support. Always in our hearts," the flyer says.

The nearby Manchester Township School District also pledged its support to the Brick Schools and to Jackson's family, "going green" for the day in solidarity.

Jackson, who ran track at Brick Memorial, came up through the Brick Township Schools. At Veterans Memorial Middle School he was an officer in the National Junior Honor Society and was treasurer of the school's student council.

Outside of school Jackson played flag football for SJNFL Flag and had earned a black belt in karate at Paul Prendergast Karate.

"He was one of our own," the karate school said. "Jackson was with us for eight years, earning his Black Belt under Master Paul. He was a kind, considerate, and hard-working young man who was a pleasure to have in class. He was well-liked by instructors and peers, and we knew he was destined for greatness. The world was robbed of one of the good ones."

The Jersey Coast Shark Anglers fishing club also posted a tribute, saying in part, "There are no words that can ease the pain of losing a child, but please know that the JCSA family and our hearts are with the Mueller Family during this difficult time. May your family find strength in the love that surrounds you, comfort in the memories you hold close, and peace in knowing that your community stands beside you during this unimaginable time. We are holding your family in our thoughts and prayers. May Jackson Rest In Peace."

Jackson was "highly intelligent, loving, creative, artistic, responsible, thoughtful, silly, affectionate, and just a chill kid," his family wrote in his obituary.

"He loved playing video games with his friends, mountain biking with his dad, taking vacations, hanging out with his friends, going on cruises, playing chess with his grandfather, eating at restaurants, making pitchers of lemonade, an avid reader and drawer," who shared his love of reading and drawing with his sister, and who loved to play chess with his brother. The full obituary can be read here.

The GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $130,000 as of Thursday afternoon and his obituary says a scholarship in Jackson's memory will be set up.

"This is every parent's worst nightmare," said Dennis Fillipone, who has been serving as the district's director of planning this year and was an assistant principal and principal in the Brick schools when the district faced three other tragic crashes.

He watched as the attendees lingered while the storm paused for about 20 minutes Wednesday, lighting candles and talking, some shedding tears while friends comforted each other.

"Our community always comes together," he said.