The teenager found dead Tuesday in the 300 block of Britton Road in Shippensburg has been identified as Levi Maciejewski, the 13-year-old son of Mark Maciejewski, head football coach at Shippensburg University, and his wife, Tricia.
The boy was identified in a statement issued by the university on Wednesday evening on behalf of the grieving family. It said, among other things:
“On behalf of the Maciejewski family, we must announce with deep sadness that our dear Levi James passed away yesterday, August 20, 2024, into the arms of Jesus.
“Mark, Tricia and Brady are grateful for the tremendous support of our community. Their hearts are broken as we know the community is hurting too. Together we will get through one day at a time. Please pray for the Maciejewski family as they embark on the most difficult journey.
“We ask for your patience and understanding during this time as they need their privacy to grieve and mourn. We know this strong community is standing by and waiting to help in any way they can. What they need now is prayers.”
On Tuesday, Pennsylvania State Police announced that officers from Carlisle Barracks were called to the area of the 300 block of Britton Road, Shippensburg Township, shortly after 2 p.m. because a 13-year-old had died.
This is the block where the Maciejewski family lives.
Police have launched an investigation into the cause and circumstances of death, which is ongoing. A spokeswoman told PennLive on Wednesday that the department does not intend to release further details on the case until at least an autopsy has been performed, which is scheduled for Thursday.
Mark Maciejewski is a Punxsutawney native, graduated from Shippensburg in 1992, and is now in his 14th year as head coach of the Red Raiders football team, which is currently in preseason training and is scheduled to open its 2024 season on September 7.
After a brief stint as an assistant on the coaching staffs at James Madison University and St. Francis (Pa.), Maciejewski returned to Shippensburg in 2000 as defensive backfield coach and has worked there ever since, becoming head coach since 2011.
The university has set up an email account through which interested people can send in the “Levi stories and photos” they have collected over the years. These memories are collected at: [email protected].
