Kristian Marche, 18, was shot and killed on August 13, 2018, while standing in his driveway in the West Oak Lane neighborhood of Philadelphia. Marche, who had been set to begin his freshman year at Penn State on a track and field scholarship, was struck in the back of the head during an attempted break-in at his home one day before classes were to start.

Police say Marche confronted two would-be robbers, Byron Vinson and 16-year-old Taron Small, both from West Oak Lane. After going back inside his house and then returning outside, Marche was shot by Small as he walked toward him. Vinson and Small were arrested and charged with murder, conspiracy, and weapons offenses; the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office approved charging both as adults.

Marche was a standout at Imhotep Institute Charter High School on the track and football teams and was remembered for his dedication to sports and academics. His death prompted calls for community action on teen gun violence and led to the creation of the Kristian Marche Scholarship Fund to support inner-city student athletes.

Did anyone in the community have contact with Kristian or information about that night that could help clarify what happened?