SAN ANTONIO – We’re learning more about the teen who died by suicide on the southside over the weekend. The 15-year-old’s boxing coach said his grieving family still wants to honor his legacy.

Jesse Balderrama, better known as “Boogie”, strapped up his gloves at Top Dog Boxing on the south side.

Jesse Balderrama, better known as “Boogie”, strapped up his gloves at Top Dog Boxing on the south side.

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“We call him ‘Boogie’, he’s a strong kid, a silly kid, a good-looking kid,” said the gym’s head coach, Jerry Zuniga.

The ropes of the boxing ring trained him as a fighter — molding him as a young man. Zuniga said Balderrama’s death Sunday leaves a hole that will be hard to heal.

“This is a tremendous loss, not just for our gym and his family right now, but for the entire boxing community,” Zuniga said. “Anytime you lose anyone, it’s hard, but losing Jesse the way we did at such a young age has affected us.”

The 15-year-old died by suicide at his family home on the north side. The gunfire also hit his father, who reportedly tried to stop him. We’re told he’s still in the hospital in serious condition.

“I think getting support early is the key,” said Megan McPheron with Roy Maas Youth Alternative Family Counseling and Resource Center.

McPheron and Rachel Mialokowski work with the San Antonio youth mental health resource. They specialize in counseling for children and teens.

“Trend-wise, we are seeing far more acuity, far more kiddos with trauma-related history and background,” said Mialokowski, a clinic director at the center. “Far more mental health and behavioral health conditions and symptomatology.”

Zuniga said Jesse’s family wants their son to be remembered for how he lived.

“Boogie was an amazing child, an amazing kid, he was still a kid,” Zuniga said. “He had a big heart, a huge heart. His will to compete in this gym and wanting to win, not just for himself, but for the team — was something that all the kids and the coaches here look up to.”

There will be a candlelight vigil in Jesse’s honor at the gym on Friday, October 3. A GoFundMe has been set up to help cover funeral costs.