MIDDLEVILLE, Mich. — The family of 20-year-old Dominique Nolff is mourning his death following a shooting at his apartment on Friday night.
Nolff’s aunt Heather Bush said that she was at home when she got the call that something had happened.
“The whole family got up there. My aunts, parents and cousins were all there in the waiting room all night long,” said Bush.
Bush said that the family prayed for hours, hoping Nolff would survive. Saturday morning the family made the decision to take him off life support.
“I was there. I went in and said my goodbyes. I went in and they still had his heart beating because they were trying to save his organs, so his heart was still beating, but he wasn’t there,” said Bush.
Nolff was a star athlete at Thornapple Kellogg High School where he graduated from in 2012. Nolff played on both the football and basketball team.
“I was his biggest fan. I would be there screaming and cheering him on. Even he couldn’t hear me, but I would be there. I loved him. He was my nephew. My first nephew,” said Bush.
Nolff’s younger brother Trenton is a junior at the high school. He posted this quote on his Facebook page:
“Today I lost my best friend and brother. My brother and I use to fight like brothers do and we use to laugh and joke around like brothers do. Dominique your baby brother is going to miss you so much and I’m going to be the best man I can be for you. You’ll always be on my mind Dominique, I love you so much. Rest in peace Dominique James Nolff 11/19/93 – 2/1/14 everyone loves you and we’ll all miss you but your in a better place now.”
Principal Tony Koski said that although Nolff only attended the school his senior year, his bright personality left a lasting impression.
“It’s surreal, unbelievable. You know a young man like this. Life taken, it’s just hard to explain,” said Koski.
Bush said that Nolff’s organs are being donated.
“A lot of kids don’t even think about that, but he knew if something ever happened to him, he wanted to help somebody else out. I mean that’s the kind of person he was. He wasn’t just thinking about himself, he thought about everyone else.”
Bush said that the family is hopeful an arrest will be made soon.
“I want him caught. Like for somebody to shoot someone four times? He went in there for murder. How do you shoot someone four times? Four times? Like you were out for something,” said Bush.
The school said that if will have grief counselors at the school on Monday for any students struggling with the tragedy.
