The parents of a 21-year-old man shot to death just minutes from his home are trying to raise money so they can increase the reward for information leading to his killer or killers.

Kendall Jarrod Thornton Jr. was killed Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022. He had just left a friend’s house and was on his way home when someone opened fire on his vehicle.

Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies responding to what they thought was a traffic crash found Thornton in his bullet-riddled vehicle. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

His parents, Angel Miranda and Kendall Thornton Sr. have launched a GoFundMe to increase the reward in his death. Crime Stoppers is offering $5,000 and the family previously offered $5,000 as well.

Their new goal is to raise $15,000 more.

They wrote this in the GoFundMe:

“Kendall was an amazing son, brother, grandson, athlete and productive member of society. Kendall has never been suspended from school, arrested or brought any trouble to his parents. His high school football team won the state championship his junior and senior year. He made the pick 6 at the end of quarter for the win and even in that exciting moment for him he remembered to thank God. He was such a joy to our hearts.

Although there is nothing that can take away the pain of losing him, the person or people responsible for this horrible act of violence should be brought to justice. I would hate for another family to suffer a lifetime of pain at the hands of his murderer(s).”

A truck driver saw Thornton’s vehicle crash and called 911.

The truck driver reported there was a vehicle in front of, and behind, Thornton’s vehicle.

Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the scene on a report of a traffic accident with the driver tapped inside. When deputies arrived, Thornton’s vehicle was overturned off the roadway. Deputies discovered it was riddled with bullet holes.

“The investigation quickly turned to a possible homicide investigation,’’ said sheriff’s Lt. Joni Money.

“The thought of his last moments kills me,’’ his mother said.

Now, months later, investigators still have not been able to make an arrest.

They have followed up on some solid leads but need more information to be able to crack the case.

“We don’t know what it could be,’’ Thornton Sr. said in a previous interview with AL.com. “We never had a problem with him. He didn’t have any enemies, or I thought he didn’t.”

Thornton Jr. played football for the Pinson High School Indians. His team won state championships both his junior and senior years.

Thornton worked at FedEx and wanted someday to go into business flipping houses. His father is an electrician, and that was something they wanted to do together.

Thornton’s parents have tried to come up with a motive.

Was it a case of mistaken identity? Was it a gang initiation? Was someone jealous of Kendall?

“He always had nice things,’’ his father said. “It could have been jealousy.”

“He was a good kid, so we took good care of him and I’m sure people were envious of that,’’ she said. “Because he was a good kid, I had no problem giving him what he needed or wanted.”

Someone knows who killed Thornton, and the family is pleading that anyone who has information come forward.

“Every day someone is getting murdered, and you would want someone to help you get justice for your loved one,’’ Miranda said. “It doesn’t cost you anything to do the right thing. My son deserves that much.”

Donations to the GoFundMe can be made here.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 205-325-1450, Option 2. Tipsters who want to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.