Kristian Marche, an 18-year-old rising track star from Philadelphia, PA, was tragically shot and killed on August 13, 2018, while standing in his driveway in the West Oak Lane neighborhood. Marche, who was set to attend Penn State University on a track and field scholarship, was fatally shot in the back of the head by 16-year-old Taron Small during an attempted break-in at his home.
The incident occurred just one day before Marche was scheduled to begin his freshman year at Penn State.
Police investigations revealed that Marche confronted the would-be robbers, Byron Vinson and Taron Small , who were both residents of West Oak Lane. After Marche went back inside his home, he later returned outside and was shot by Small as he walked toward him. Both Vinson and Small were arrested and charged with murder, conspiracy, and weapons-related offenses. The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office approved adult charges for both teens.
The killing of Kristian Marche was described by police as a "brutal" and "horrible" case. The community was deeply affected by the loss of the young athlete, who was known for his dedication to sports and academics. Marche had excelled as a member of the track and football teams at Imhotep Institute Charter High School and was considered one of the fastest sprinters in the state.
The case highlighted the ongoing issue of teen gun violence in Philadelphia, prompting calls for community action to address the root causes of such violence. Despite the tragedy, Marche's legacy lives on through the Kristian Marche Scholarship Fund, which was established to support inner-city student athletes in his memory.
The investigation into Kristian Marche's death remains a poignant reminder of the impact of senseless violence on young lives and the importance of community efforts to prevent such tragedies in the future.
