Football player shot to death

Ken McRoyal’s sister Kenesha, left, is consoled by his girlfriend, Latrese Williams, during his memorial service at Mission Ebenezer Family Church in Carson. McRoyal was fatally shot on Mother’s Day. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

June 1, 2012 1:53 PM PT

Ken McRoyal was a young football player with big dreams. Just as he was trying to turn his life around, he was shot to death.

Stacey McRoyal is escorted back to her seat after getting up in the middle of the service to hug her son’s casket at the Mission Ebenezer Family Church in Carson. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

El Camino College students Luckner Brady, 21, left, Jahrie Level, 20, middle, and Jamsky Baptiste, 21, all from Miami, hug Don Hawley, back to the camera, from Short Cut Youth Ministry as they grieve and pray at Pacific Baptist Church in El Segundo. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Jessica Cyrus, from left, Jaunisha Givena and Shanera Campbell weep next to a photograph of Ken McRoyal during a Shortcut Youth Ministry prayer service at Pacific Baptist Church in El Segundo. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

A football rests amid flowers on Ken McRoyal’s casket. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Michael Lagrone, left, from the University of Idaho, hugs Ken McRoyal’s mother Stacey McRoyal at Mission Ebenezer Family Church. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)