Tyron Perrin, also known as “Rizz,” had plans to dance across the stage to get his high school diploma.
“He was so happy because he was graduating,” his mother, Mary James’ told PennLive. “He said ‘Mom I’m gonna make you proud.’”
But three days before graduation, Perrin, 18, was fatally shot in the basem*nt laundry room of his apartment building. Police charged a 13-year-old in connection with the June 4 shooting at the Whisperwood Apartment Complex in Susquehanna Township.
His brother, James Perrin, 14, and father accepted Perrin’s diploma at graduation on June 7 as Perrin’s assigned seat remained empty, decorated with his cap and gown.
On Tuesday, Perrin will be buried in his graduation outfit after his funeral, set for 11 a.m. at Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church, 2400 Locust Lane, in Susquehanna Township.
Perrin wanted to join the military after graduation.
“He was confident,” his aunt Eve Brown said. “He was growing into a young man. And he can’t anymore. He had such a bright future.”
In preparing for graduation, the principal at his high school, Susquehanna Township, told students that no one was allowed to dance while crossing the stage during the ceremony.
But Perrin challenged the principal during graduation practice and asked if he could do the “hipster” dance while crossing the stage for graduation, according to Perrin’s girlfriend, Rosaney Ramsey.
“Mr. Archer said ‘Can you get up and show everyone what that looks like?’ And he started doing the hip in front of 300 people,” Ramsey said. “Everyone was just laughing. And he said, ‘You’re the only person that can cross the stage like that.’”
The day he died, he called his mom to share the news.
“He called me and said ‘Mom guess what? The principal said I can dance across the stage when I graduate.’”
Perrin knew exactly how to make anyone smile with his silly personality, according to loved ones.
“He does stuff like he’s a comedian,” Ramsey said. “He had no shame in his game.”
The teen was a fun-loving spirit and also a gentle giant filled with talent and enthusiasm, especially when it came to being committed to something he was interested in, according to family members.
“Everybody loved him because he was so talented since he was little. He was always the life of the party,” James said. “He might’ve been a big guy, but he was a loving and caring person.”
Family members said his father’s love of music rubbed off on him as a child, spurring an interest to be a rapper. He had a special connection with creating beats like a producer.
Perrin started a musical group with his classmates called “Young Legends” when he was in elementary school.
“His dad always had him in front of the camera rapping or singing, and now that he’s older,” James said, “he was editing his own vlogs and putting them on YouTube.”
Tyron was raised by a single parent but had a large tight-knit and loving family.
He displayed an entrepreneurial spirit as a young teen. He started to get paid to play video games while streaming them online.
Recalled Brown, Tyron’s aunt: “He had all these people watching him and he started to get paid to play video games and Mary didn’t know about it.”
When his mom came home, “He would have take-out food, KFC and McDonalds. And she would say ‘How did you get all this stuff?’
“He said ‘Mom I got a check.’ “He loved to earn his own money and pay for his own things,” Brown said.
After that, he got a job at Giant, corralling the shopping carts.
“He knew how to get things done,” James said. “Especially if it was something that was really important to him. He loved earning money; it wasn’t just the love of money, he loved working hard.”
Once he was able to get his first job he wasn’t gaming as much because of responsibilities as a student athlete. He played on the varsity football team at Susquehanna Township High School on the offensive line.
Family members said Perrin and his girlfriend were best friends and never left each other’s side. The couple clicked when they met during high school gym class.
“He was always there when I needed him,” Ramsey said. “His personality was huge, and he didn’t care. Everyone got along with him. He wasn’t a troublesome kid.”
Family members said Perrin enjoyed being independent and liked dancing, music and spending time with his friends and family.
“He genuinely loved people,” James said. “He wasn’t selfish when it came to his love. He wanted to give himself to everybody, but he really couldn’t. He loved everybody no matter how you looked.”
Family members said Tyron was confident and his wardrobe reflected that. He liked to wear unique and colorful outfits.
“I was always naturally drawn to that young man,” Samyra Bethune, a family friend, said. “He was just easy.”
His great aunt said Perrin stood out because of his manners.
“He was very respectful,” his great aunt Margaret Jackson said. “That’s what I admired about him because in this generation you don’t see that as much today. I loved the time that we spent together.”
His mother is left with just memories to reflect on.
“He would always make my day,” James said. “He’s my funny guy, that’s my big boy. Tyron has always been with me since day one. Since day one, he was my protector.
“I just really love him and I’m gonna miss him.”
A GoFundMe has been set up by Tyron’s mom to help raise money for the funeral. Contributions can be made at this link.
Stories by Zahriah Balentine
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