17-year-old student-athlete shot near high school, AL cops say. ‘There are no words’
A 17-year-old student-athlete died after being shot outside an Alabama high school, leaving his community heartbroken.
The student, identified as Gerald Andre Lomax Jr., was involved in an argument while leaving a basketball game at Woodlawn High School on Nov. 12, the Birmingham Police Department said in a news release.
As Lomax and a friend tried to drive away, an unknown suspect fired gunshots into their vehicle, striking Lomax before driving away, authorities said.
Lomax’s friend then drove to the high school for help, according to the release.
When officers arrived around 9:50 p.m., they found Lomax unresponsive in the passenger seat of the vehicle, police said. Fire and Rescue services took him to the University of Alabama Hospital where he later died.
“He was a team favorite. Wasn’t a really just outgoing guy, but the football team really was fond of him,” Birmingham City Schools board member Jason Meadows told WVTM of the high school senior. “I think to me, that’s the more concerning thing, is that when you are an upstanding student doing things the right way, that you still can’t avoid these types of situations.”
Woodlawn High School officials extended their sympathies to Lomax’s family and his school, Jackson-Olin High, saying in a Facebook post, “There are no words to fully express our deepest condolences to the Lomax family, and our Jackson Olin High School family in the loss of their son and student.”
“We are saddened and heartbroken by the loss, and we send our love and heartfelt condolences and support to the family, parents and guardians,” Birmingham City School superintendent Mark Sullivan said.
In a video addressed to the school district, Sullivan condemned recent acts of “senseless violence” in the community and asked parents and guardians to help combat the violence by communicating with students.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing, police said.
Within 24 hours, three other people were shot in unrelated cases in Birmingham, according to police records.
“I’m deeply saddened by the loss of life and it pierces my heart heavily every time one of our youth is shot. My sympathy and prayers are with all of the victims’ families,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin in a Nov. 13 Facebook post.
This story was originally published November 14, 2024 at 2:34 PM with the headline "17-year-old student-athlete shot near high school, AL cops say. ‘There are no words’."
