A 17-year-old Tennessee student lost his life while trying to protect his mother during a home invasion. Ja’Donte Thompson just began a job at the Top Golf store so he could buy Christmas presents for his family.

But after two men broke into his family’s Nashville home last Tuesday, the Hillsboro High School student will no longer be able to see Christmas Day. The teen, along with his mother, stepfather and grandfather were all present when their home was invaded.

His grandmother Shirley Whitlow told WZTV that Thompson was fatally shot while trying to shield his mother from the invaders. Thompson’s family told PEOPLE and The Tennessean that the teen was bright and talented and had a radiant spirit. A GoFundMe campaign has been created to assist with Thompson’s funeral expenses.

The men didn’t take anything from the residence and police suspect the invaders targeted the wrong home. A vigil was held last Thursday.