On December 4, 2025, the City Heights community in San Diego was shaken by the unexpected passing of 17-year-old Jama Moalim. A junior at Hoover High School, Jama was known for his warm smile, strong work ethic, and deep devotion to his family, faith, and education. His sudden loss has left his family, classmates, teachers, and the wider Somali-American community in profound sorrow.
Jama was a dedicated student in Hoover’s International Baccalaureate program and an aspiring civil engineer who dreamed of one day using his skills to improve infrastructure in Somalia. Teachers remember him as a patient peer tutor and a bridge-builder for newly arrived families, often volunteering his bilingual abilities to help during school events.
Outside the classroom, Jama worked weekends at his uncle’s market, played forward on his school’s junior varsity soccer team, and spent Friday evenings at the City Heights Islamic Center. At home, he was a supportive older brother who helped his siblings with homework and walked them to school each morning. Family meals filled with laughter, storytelling, and traditional Somali dishes were cherished moments in the Moalim household.
Jama’s gentle leadership extended throughout his neighborhood, whether he was distributing food during Ramadan, playing pick-up basketball at Colina del Sol Park, or quietly lending a hand wherever it was needed.
In the wake of this heartbreaking loss, the community has rallied around Jama’s family. A fundraiser has been organized to help cover funeral and repatriation costs, reflecting the collective care and solidarity of City Heights—a neighborhood that stands together in times of grief.
Though his life was tragically short, Jama’s kindness, ambition, and quiet strength will be remembered by all who knew him. His dreams and his generous spirit live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and a community forever changed by his presence.