Young Boy Killed in S.C. Shooting Given Superhero Funeral

A young boy who lost his life far too soon was given a send-off fit for a superhero this week.

6-year old Jacob Hall died last Saturday after being shot during last week’s school shooting in Townville, South Carolina. Doctors tried in vain to save the boy, however losing over 75% of his blood proved to be too much for them to overcome.

In preparation for his funeral, Jacob’s family requested that mourners wear superhero-themed costumes instead of black. The request was in tribute to the boy’s love of characters like Batman, Spider-Man, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Jacob himself was wearing a Batman cowl in his casket.

Jacob’s mother Renee Hall explained the family’s reasoning to local media.

“He loved anything to do with goodness. He loved anything to do with being able to help somebody,” said Hall. “That’s why I say Jacob was going to make a difference and he still is going to make a difference.”

Many on hand honored the request, including members of the Hall family and man of Hall’s teachers, however the most visible example may have been John Backlund, who delivered a eulogy dressed as Batman. Backlund runs the charity Hope4Higher, and often travels to schools in his bat-costume to help inspire kids.

"Take what we've learned from Jacob and make you…..a better everything." – "Batman" #JacobHall #TownvilleStrong pic.twitter.com/D3oyi5cVBo

— Fred Cunningham (@fredontv) October 5, 2016

Backlund drove his custom-made Batmobile from his West Virginia home to the South Carolina service. Prior to the funeral, Backlund in full bat-regalia handed out posters to children that read “tough things make me stronger.”

As part of his eulogy, Backlund said that all in attendance must, “Take what we’ve learned from Jacob, let it make you a better husband, better father … better everything.”

He went on to implore everyone to, “Keep an eye on each other. Care about each other, love each other. If someone’s in trouble, reach out and give them the help they need, because Jacob would.”

When asked by the New York Daily News why he eulogized the boy, Backlund simply said, “I just realized this something I needed to do.”