Community Corner

Memorial Fund Set Up in Honor Of Bennett Rill

Family and friends wishing to honor Oak Hill teen who died in accident can donate at Floris United Methodist Church.

The family of Bennett Rill, the Oak Hill teen who was killed on Tuesday in an accident at Fox Mill Elementary School, has set up a memorial fund in his name.

Memorial contributions can be made to Floris United Methodist Church -- 13600 Frying Pan Road, Herndon VA, 20171, for the Bennett Rill Fund to support student programs and ministries. 

Visitation and services for Rill will be held at the church: Visitation will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, with a reception following.

Bennett and his family were members of  the church, and his family says he helped teach a kindergarten Sunday school class there this year.

Bennett had just graduated earlier in the day Tuesday from the eighth grade at Rachel Carson Middle School. He was reportedly hanging out with friends on the Fox Mill campus that night shortly before 9 p.m. when the boys decided to climb onto the roof. 

Fairfax County Police spokesperson Don Gotthardt told Patch the exact chronology of events is still unclear, but somehow Bennett stepped on a live wire and was electrocuted. Witnesses say the boy was seen hanging from a conduit 8-10 feet off the ground, tangled in the wires.

Two other teens were injured and were taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Friends and schoolmates of Bennett's say he was a popular, well-liked kid that "everyone was friends with."

Rachel Carson Principal Augie Fratalli sent a letter to Rachel Carson families Wednesday afternoon, calling Bennett "an excellent student" who was "well-liked by all who knew him, and will be greatly missed."

Bennett was remembered by his family as an athlete who was looking forward to playing football at Oakton High School this fall and an avid Redskins and Nationals fan.

He is survived by his parents, Derick and Carolyn Rill and brothers Stephen Rill and Colin Rill.

Read the full obituary and sign the guest book at the Adams Green Funeral Home website.

READ:


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here