High Point principal remembers teaching assistant shot dead in Greensboro

HIGH POINT, NC (WGHP) — Michael Hettenbach, principal of High Point Central High School, remembers the life and legacy of a teaching assistant who became the 18th murder victim of the year in the city of Greensboro.

“Just his presence and that big smile when you talk to him. People don’t even realize how far that goes,” said Hettenbach.

These are just some of the many qualities that come to Hettenbach’s mind when he talks about 23-year-old Jayard Little.

The Winston-Salem native worked as a teaching assistant in the school’s special program for children.

“For students who are a little more difficult than others, it takes a lot of patience, a lot of passion and a lot of love. When we hired him, we knew he was the right man for the position,” Hettenbach said.

Hettenbach says that before coming to HPCHS, Little played football at Guilford College and enjoyed volunteering with children with special needs.

“I really liked the way he interacted with students and classmates. It’s just disappointing that we’ve only had him since February,” said Hettenbach.

According to Greensboro police, officers responded to a shooting at the intersection of Kenneth Road and Nandina Drive around 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Rescue workers found Little with a gunshot wound in a car that had bullet holes in the middle of the road.

After life-saving measures were carried out, the young man, who, according to Rector Hettenbach, had great ambitions, died.

Hettenbach says there will be counselors on campus to assist grieving students and staff.

Investigators also concluded that foul play was involved in the shooting that killed Little.

If you have any information that could lead to a suspect, you are asked to contact Greensboro Police.