Family and friends of slain Riverhead man fundraising for scholarship in his memory

The fatal shooting of Demitri Hampton during a home invasion in Flanders may have deprived the community of a brave, young rising star, but friends and family hope to honor his memory by helping others like him succeed with a scholarship fund in his name.

In June, two current Riverhead High School students will receive $500 each as the initial recipients of the Demitri Q. Hampton Scholarship, which Hampton’s mother, Juanita Trent, says is aimed at students who will attend Suffolk County Community College next fall, to help them “reach a higher level of success in their future.”

Trent said Monday afternoon scholarship recipient hopefuls should also have a Christian background, 200 or more hours of community service and write an essay about how the recipient would change their community.

Trent, who lost her son only three months ago, is working through the grief of the unfathomable loss.

“Some days are heavier than others, but you go on,” Trent told RiverheadLOCAL Monday. “I’m grieving, I’m just not wearing it on my coat. If you saw me walking down the street, I won’t be hanging my head down or have it stuck inside my hat.”

She said what’s helped in the grieving process has been hearing from others that the boy she raised was turning into a fine young man.

“You just raise kids and have the hope they’re respectable,” she said. “When I got feedback from people, telling stories about what a strong, good person Demitri was, I keep that and it helps me a lot in my grieving process.” 

Hampton, 21, was shot and killed as he tried to protect family and loved ones during the Jan. 27 armed invasion of his Pricilla Avenue home. No arrests have been made in the homicide. (See Jan. 29 story: ‘Murdered man’s girlfriend and cousin recount details of deadly home invasion — and ask ‘Why?’)

At the time of the shooting, Hampton was studying criminal justice at Suffolk County Community College and was scheduled to graduate in May. 

“His love for his family and friends is what made him truly special,” Trent said of her lost son. “He was always pushing the people around him to do better and do more.”

The DQH Scholarship fund was established in part to bring awareness to violent crimes and put an end to their occurrence in Riverhead.

Anyone who wants to help raise money for the DQH Scholarship should be advised that 10 percent of all purchases made at the Riverhead Wendy’s between 5 and 8 p.m. Thursday will benefit the scholarship fund.

A fundraiser for the scholarship fund and the first annual memorial for Hampton is planned for Saturday, May 18, at Ludlam Avenue Park between 2 and 8 p.m.

The event will include, music, food, raffles, a three-on-three basketball tournament, a dance contest and more, according to a news release about the event.

For questions regarding the fundraiser or to sign up for the basketball tournament, send an email to DQHScholarshipFund@gmail.com

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