Thank you for covering this. This has been so important for the kids' healing.

He killed himself?

I'm truly sorry for their loss such a hard way to start the new year off!

i know he died of a gunshot wound but how? do we know any other details?

My heart goes out to the family. It is heartbreaking!

does anyone know why he did it

Aaron was well loved and he should be remembered for all he did for his friends and the community of Sussex not for how he died. He should be kept in our hearts. Wishing his family refuge in the Lord during this very difficult time.

Thank you Michelle, that is it. Remember that Aaron was a great kid. He babysat my son when our daughter could not. He would play nerf gun wars and even bring him dinner from where he worked. A beautiful soul, a wonderful friend.

I was just informed of this by a friend who lives in your community. I am at a loss as to how express just how sorry I am for everyone involved. I will be keeping your entire community in my prayers.

Um, yea... "Remember him for all he did", "Remember Aaron was a great kid"... He DID take his own life! As emone420 pointed out, we NEED to speak STRONGLY about suicide prevention. Were there signs? If it was depression, WHY? How? He had a LOT going for him, FAR MORE than MOST 18yr olds or H.S. seniors... DON'T pretend ALL IS or WAS well, the gunshot WAS self inflicted... PAY ATTENTION, be there for someone who DOESN'T have as much going for them as Aaron did!!!

We don't need to explain what happened exactly to prevent suicide.. You know he did it and that's all you need to know. This is the time you need to be supportive and not so selfish. Zstrong was started not only for Aaron but for suicide awareness as well. If we knew what he was feeling this never would have happened. So please just be respectful of his family right now and stop asking so many questions. He was an amazing kid. Always was and always will be.

J Mutch shame on you. Because of ignorant people like you mental illness will never be looked at like the disease it is. Have some respect and class.

Never saw this coming he was great teammate and he always had a smile and always had a great time in wrestling .. Gonna miss Aaron
RIP Arron #11 #ZStrong

My heart goes out to this child's family and friends. When I went to HHS we had 2 suicides. Both wonderful, bright young ladies.
Depression is very real. It is much more common than people think. Do not think that you will always be able to pick a person out if a crowd that has this illness. It is not like the movies where they are in sweatpants and unkept. People are good at masking their feelings around others. And sadly, the more you do it, the easier it gets. It is a downward spiral.
We need to get more education and resources out there in the schools and communities. Depression is nothing to be ashamed of. You don't need a life changing event to bring it on. You can be any age and any gender. It could be hereditary, it may not. And just because you have depression does not necessarily mean that you want to take your own life. Although over time and untreated, it could lead to that.
Please know that there is help out there. There are people who want to help. Even if you just need to talk, you can always go to a trusted friend, relative, or even your church.
Getting help for yourself is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of respect and love for yourself.
My prayers go out to everyone that is grieving.

Zegor was a great kid I knew from riding the bus to elementary school to being on the same wrestling team as him... It was a shock to wake up new years day and hear about such tragedy, one things for sure the world will not forget Aaron RIP #11 #ZStrong

Depression and anxiety are cousins. Both conditions can paralyze people of all ages and cause one to sink into darkness and despair. More often than not, the warning signs are not there. No one is to blame. Education on the symptoms of depression and anxiety and the available treatments will benefit everyone. Feelings of despair and darkness can happen to anyone at any point in their life. No one is immune to helplessness and hopelessness. Mental health should not be taken for granted. It is important to take care of ourselves physically, emotionally and spiritually. God Bless the family and friends. You have our support and love as you journey this path of grief and healing. God bless you. We hold you up in prayer.

I grew up with Aaron and his family. Our mothers are very close, both Ryan and Aaron are like little brothers to me. Aaron did not want to share his pain, he had many people who cared deeply for him and were more than willing to share the burden and lift it off his shoulders. Many of us sensed a darkness about him but no matter how hard we pressed he did not care to talk about himself, he only wanted to help others, make sure his friends and family that he loved so much were OK, as he once told me he only shares his experiences if it helps bring knowledge to someone else's situation. Aaron was a wonderful man in a boy's body, he always wanted to be recognized as an adult and he played the role well with his adult humor and wise words. I will never forget his beautiful soul. He touched the lives of many and quite possibly changed the world in his own way no matter how small. As has already been said, this tragedy is no one's fault. Aaron made this choice for himself, ridden with a disorder that haunts many lives, myself included. Sometimes we just need to take a step back and look at all the people standing behind us supporting us. I'm sure Aaron is looking down on everyone gathered for him with much gratitude and remorse. He will be here for all of us eternally. I love you Aaron.

I didn't know Aaron that well but no one should be talking about how it happened and if it was depression because right now people are suffering about his loss and truly miss him. There is no need for this. And maybe some people don't want to know why or how because maybe they just want to remember Aaron by how he was and who he was not by how he died. I saw he wrestle and he was darn good at it he was a very good kid and was nice to everyone! #ZStrong

I just want to say that Aaron touched many lives as a mother of 2 boys Arron touched many lives from what my oldest son has said. A close friend of mines said the same her son knew him also and said he was a well liked and very important kid. He noticed many giving a great speech to the toms bulldogs football team! So said. We will never know why we should just remember who he was and all the lives he touched. Which is many!!! Going to the same high school and having 2 great people do the same thing just different ways it doesn't matter why. It just matters who they were and how much they were loved! My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

i didnt know aaron but i know his mother, suicide is a tragedy for anyone involved and it changes you forever.... i had lost someone dear to me due to suicide and people that have negative comments need to get educated. my heart goes out to the family...... rip aaron, zstrong

Thoughts and prayers to Aaron and his family and friends... I deal with mental illness and its real and so thought less of and such negative stigma attached to it that when in the thick of it you want hide and not say how your feeling for this very reason!! Im greatful to be well connected and ok with who I am and shair anytime I have they chance how I am no longer ashamed of it to help the person who still is. I know its just like any other illness I would need meds for. I also have a heavy heart because I have 2 brothers that have taken there lives less then a year apart. I feel its my part to be there anytime I can to shair my story of pain,loss,confussing,and shock I have ever been through. Today my part is to shair how I go on with my life and honor them both. They were both great men but just did not beleave they were.