Homicide victim worked with special needs kids

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Glenn Sullivan and his grandfather Willie Sullivan, Sr. were shot and killed Wednesday morning.  School officials at Burns Middle School say Glenn was a valuable volunteer who will be missed.

It isn't hard to find people who knew Glenn, even a maintenance official knew who he was.

"He was a student here. Been going here since he was in the sixth grade," Principal John Adams said.

A glance through the yearbook showed he was quite involved. He was in a service organization, he ran track, he raised the flag before school, he was a library aide and he volunteered in the office, but Adams said there was one task he did that was very special.

"He helped special needs kids all the time,” said Adams.

Sullivan worked with the kids in class and also helped them eat. A school parent said Sullivan even coached the school's Special Olympics basketball team.

"He gave of himself everyday at this school. Middle School serves as a transition to a new life. It's not supposed to be the end of the road," Adams said. "We've brought him this far, and he's got all this potential, and it's ended. No more. He can't contribute to anything else - to our school or our society."

Adams said Glenn was a model of what every student should be.

Some of the parents of the special needs children said Glenn will be sorely missed.

Adams feels this was a valuable life that was brutally taken away, and he feels it’s important that the community works to make sure other young stars aren't taken away too.