MARIETTA, Ga. — Friends, coworkers and even professors of a beloved Marietta Middle School teacher who was shot and killed in Downtown Atlanta are remembering him.
Through their stories, you get a glimpse into the passion 25-year-old Jason Ogbomoh had for education.
He was a loving teacher to many students at Marietta Middle School, which is where he also met his friend and former colleague, R.J. Atkins.
“He’s left quite a void. It’s going to be a void that’s going to be felt for a long time," Atkins said. "Seeing such an ambitious, young man gone… a guy that had so much potential, a guy that had so much heart for the youth. It's just sad."
Marietta Middle School Principal Diona Brown said she has seen that sadness in his students, too.
"It’s been the hardest part, seeing the emotional reaction our students have had to his passing and our students walking up with just sadness in their eyes," Brown said.
Principal Diona Brown would go on to describe Ogbomoh as loving, joyful, and a leader on Monday.
For her and the rest of the school, the loss is unimaginable.
"When there's a teacher who is so loved by so many, who gave so much to so many, it's hard to just walk into the building today and know that he's not here," Brown said.
She noted that Ogbomoh's generosity extended to moments such as joining in with students at the school dance, even though he was in a boot at the time, and even offering up his own lunch if he noticed one of his students was hungry.
Atlanta Police said they initially responded to the crime scene on Peachtree Street Northwest around 3 a.m. Sunday.
RELATED: 'Profound loss' | Marietta Middle School teacher identified as victim in weekend Atlanta homicide
They added that Ogbomoh was shot multiple times and later died from his injuries while at the hospital.
A witness at the scene said he was parking his car when he heard the incident play out. He then said he called the police and jumped into action to help the victim.
Right now, Ogbomoh's loved ones are focusing on the lasting legacy he leaves behind. His high school physics teacher, Dona Bien-Aime - who now lives in Washington - found out about his passing through social media.
“I saw a notification on Facebook and got excited thinking the notification was going to say Jason Ogbomoh was going to be teacher of the year or was getting an award," he recalled. "Until I read through the notification, and it said, 'middle school teacher dies.' I said, 'No, it can’t be.' I thought I was dreaming. I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t even talk to my wife.”
Bien-Aime said he taught Ogbomoh at Etowah High School, and they bonded over their difficult last names. He said Ogbomoh was the intelligent, caring, charismatic and ambitious one in class.
"He told me that I inspired him to become a teacher. That was a big honor. I wanted people like him to see we can do it," he said. "I told him, 'I’m so proud of you for all you’re doing because we want a role model.'”
The disbelief is still hitting the community, both inside and outside the classroom walls.
“I saw the face, and I literally froze. Like, no, no… not this guy. I was floored," Atkins said. "He went after everything with all his might. He didn’t stop just with the Bachelor's (degree); he went for his Master's (degree) and for certifications. He just always had something in the pipeline and still had something left for the kids."
Right now, there is no word on a suspect. However, police said they do believe that right before the shooting, there was an argument.
Bien-Aime hopes he is remembered for the impact he left on people's lives.
“His love for life, his curiosity for learning. He would give students his lunch," he said. "He would make sure his students understand the material. He was such a great person and such a great student and ultimately a great teacher."