A child actor has tragically passed away at his Illinois home. The teen died in a shooting incident at the home in Belleville.
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Now, loved ones and fans are remembering him as "extraordinary." Police confirmed in a
press release they responded to a call on February 27 of a shooting. They wrote, "Upon officers' arrival, a juvenile male victim was located in the garage of the residence suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers and EMS immediately provided medical assistance; however, the victim succumbed to his injuries."Police also said, "Based on preliminary findings, the incident does not appear to be intentional, and the Belleville Police Department is not seeking any suspects at this time." They're investigating the crime. Later, local outlets confirmed the deceased as child actor Jarod Rhodes.
Rhodes was a part of The Muny, a theater company in St. Louis. He appeared in productions such as Les Misérables, The Little Mermaid, Come From Away and Frozen. Following his passing, the theater wrote a tribute to the actor.
Child Actor Dies in Shooting
"Jarod will be greatly missed by his Muny family, and we will honor his legacy throughout the upcoming Muny season as we celebrate the joy and light he brought to our stage," the theater wrote in its post.
Additionally, the original star from Broadway's Frozen, Patti Murin, wrote, "Oh my goodness that sweet boy. I am so, so sorry, and thinking of his family at this impossibly difficult time."
The St. Louis Center of Creative Arts (COCA) also mourned the loss of the actor. Jarod worked with its Allegro Vocal Company and Musical Theater Family.
"Jarod's talent, dedication, and joyful spirit enriched our community," the post read. "His presence inspired both peers and faculty alike, leaving a lasting impact on all who had the privilege to know him."
Finally, one of Rhodes' voice coaches, Phil Woodmore, mourned his loss as well.
"It's hard to put into words what I'm feeling right now as a music educator. Death is never easy, but this one hurts deeply," Woodmore wrote, adding, "I'm thankful to have had the honor of crossing paths with such an extraordinary young man. Well done, sir."
