Fundraiser held for local veteran killed at Savannah bar

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) -Friends gathered Saturday night at Rachael’s Sports Bar to honor a veteran who was shot and killed on Veterans Day while working as a DJ and bouncer at Lucky’s Pub in Savannah.

D’Angelo Shaw, a regular at Rachael’s Sports Bar, was remembered by friends as someone who brought people together with his smile and caring nature.

During a hearing three weeks ago, detectives said security cameras caught the alleged shooter, Jeremy Scarth firing his weapon in Shaw’s direction.

Scarth’s case has now been moved to Superior Court, with the next step being a grand jury review.

“Akon had a hundred watt smile, you know, megawatt smile. And he just brought so many people together. So we just want to keep his memory alive and honor him that way,” said Rachael Aldinger, the bar’s owner.

Community continues to honor Akon

The Savannah community has been reeling since Shaw’s death, with loved ones hosting multiple events in his honor.

Stephanie Boaz, a friend of Shaw’s, said he was known for lighting up any room he entered.

“Akon was the life of the party. The minute he walked into a room, he would smile that like megawatt smile that Rachael said. It was immediate,” Boaz said.

Friends described Shaw as caring, loving and supportive.

“I feel like everybody he met saw him as their best friend or their confidant. And so he was that for so many people,” Aldinger said.

Shaw was also a co-founder of Heroes in the Sky Foundation, a group that helps pay tribute and raise awareness for mental health to veterans and first responders.

“Such a good human. I just, I don’t understand, like him, of all people. He gave so much to this world,” Boaz said. “We’re all torn between crying and laughing about old memories and joking. But in the end, he was pure joy.”

A celebration of life will be held Sunday from 1-4 p.m. at VFW Post 660, following a procession from Harley Davidson starting at noon.