City Heights, San Diego, is in shock after 17-year-old Jama Moalim passed away unexpectedly on December 4, 2025. The Hoover High School junior, known for his bright smile and quiet determination, was a beloved figure among classmates, neighbors, and the Somali-American community that had embraced him since his family arrived in the United States when he was in elementary school.
Jama was a dedicated student in Hoover’s International Baccalaureate program, balancing a demanding course load with weekend shifts at his uncle’s small market on University Avenue. Teachers describe him as the student who always stayed late to help classmates with math homework and who volunteered to translate for newly arrived refugee families during parent-teacher nights.
An aspiring civil engineer, Jama spent hours sketching bridge designs and watching construction videos, dreaming of one day building infrastructure back in Somalia. He played forward on Hoover’s junior varsity soccer team, earning the nickname “J9” for his jersey number and relentless hustle on the full 90 minutes every game.
Family was everything to Jama; the second-oldest of six children, he was the one who helped his younger siblings with English homework and walked them to Crawford High each morning. Evenings were spent at the family apartment on 48th Street sharing traditional canjeero and goat stew while Jama recounted his day with animated stories that made everyone laugh.
In the community, Jama regularly joined Friday prayers at the City Heights Islamic Center and helped distribute food boxes during Ramadan. Friends remember weekend basketball games at Colina del Sol Park where his competitive spirit and encouragement lifted everyone’s play.
As the Moalim family faces unimaginable grief and the unexpected costs of laying their son to rest, a community fundraiser has been launched to cover funeral and repatriation expenses. In a neighborhood that rallies around its own, City Heights stands ready to honor the promising young life cut far too short.
