Family of shot Phoenix teenager mourns

PHOENIX (AZFamily) – We hear from the family and loved ones of a Phoenix teenager who was shot and killed at an Ahwatukee mall this week.

17-year-old Malachi Henningham was found dead Tuesday evening in a car that had crashed into a tree. The car was riddled with bullet holes. He had been shot at least once.

Another teenager was also shot and is recovering in the hospital. Police are still searching for the suspect.

Henningham’s family is deeply saddened by his death. His mother, Leisa Rose, says Malachi was a star athlete and a great person.

She says he got off track early in high school, but got back on track.

Now, she says, he will never get the chance to reach his full potential.

“Time has just shortened everything. It really has, and it hurts so much,” Rose says. “He was a talented boy. He loved life. He wanted to live.”

His death was a great shock for his family.

Rose says her son was a star athlete at Chandler High School and later at Fairfax High.

“He was a well-known basketball player. In fact, he was only 15 when he reached 6’5″. Many of his friends know him as the Beast,” Rose said.

She says he was a good and respected boy.

“He had a rough patch early in high school. We all agree, they’re teenagers, they’re boys. It’s not easy. So he had a rough patch and kind of lost it. But we worked with him. He listened and he got back on his feet,” Rose said.

Rose says the 17-year-old’s life changed in March when he became a father.

“We have a child together. He is 2 months old. His name is Mesiah. He is the best father, he does everything for me and Mesiah,” said Navaeh MacDougall, his girlfriend.

MacDougall says Henningham has been her boyfriend for the past three years.

She says they were both looking forward to starting a family together. Now she says her future is filled with pain and confusion without him.

“He was the best person I’ve ever met and it’s not fair that he’s gone. He should be able to watch his son grow up and learn to walk and talk. He should be here with me because I’m not sure how I’m going to manage without him,” MacDougall said.

His mother told me she didn’t know what led to the shooting or why someone would take her son’s life.

The investigation is still active.

The family is raising money for Malachi’s funeral. They have a GoFundMe campaign if you would like to donate.

If you know anything about this shooting, you are asked to call Phoenix Police or Silent Witness and submit an anonymous tip. Rewards are available for information leading to an arrest.

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