Friends are remembering the life of Jay Boughton.
Boughton died Tuesday night after he was shot by a motorist on Highway 169 south of the Rockford Road intersection. Police said Wednesday that Boughton was side-by-side with another car when the shooting happened and that it appears road rage may have played a factor into the incident.
Paul Larson, a friend of Boughton, told WCCO Radio's Mike Max on Wednesday night about the man he knew.
"He's a kind, compassionate friend who would do anything for you at any time with a handshake and a smile," Larson said. "He always wanted to keep in touch with people."
Larson said Bougthon's character shined as an Armstrong Cooper Youth Baseball Association coach. Boughton was traveling home with his 15-year-old son from a game Tuesday night when tragedy struck.
"We coached together in Crystal little league for many years and a lot of those kids from that league and other little leagues, we all knew each other for many years," he said. "With our kids out of little league, we were able to coach together and be together as a community even more. It's a very tight-knit community. There's a lot of heartfelt loss there."
Plymouth Chief of Police and Safety Director Erik Fedden called the shooting "truly a senseless act."
"I have to say, this was one of the most tragic events that I’ve witnessed in my 20 years of policing,” said Fedden.
So far police have not located the suspect's car however, they are looking for a light-colored SUV, possibly a Chevrolet Tahoe or Suburban, or a Ford Expedition. The vehicle is said to have damage on the driver’s side rear bumper.
A GoFundMe has been set-up to support the family of Jay Boughton.