Country Club Hills high school student shot and killed after football game – NBC Chicago

Police in south suburban Country Club Hills have launched an investigation after a 14-year-old boy was shot and killed following his high school’s homecoming football game Friday night.

Marshawn Mitchell, a freshman at Hillcrest High School, was injured when shots rang out around 9 p.m. near 175th Street and Pulaski Road after Hillcrest’s varsity football game against Oak Forest. The 14-year-old was transported to an area hospital and died from his injuries, police said.

Kamarjai Picket, who met Marshawn in middle school, described his friend as someone who was funny and cool.

“It’s sad and it scares me to go out now alone or with friends,” Kamarjai said.

Crisis responder Andrew Holmes said he met with Marshawn’s mother for several hours Saturday morning and his entire family was devastated by the teen’s death.

“…This is his only child,” he said. “She wanted a better place and a better environment and look what happened, he lost his life.”

Following the fatal shooting, Hillcrest High School made the decision to cancel Saturday’s prom. A spokesperson for Bremen School District 228, which includes the school, released the following statement regarding the shooting:

“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the devastating loss of one of our Hillcrest High School students following a shooting on 175th Street following the conclusion of the varsity homecoming game Friday night,” said said a district spokesperson. “Our hearts go out to the families and friends of everyone involved in this tragedy.”

The school district said it will make support resources available Monday for anyone in need.

The investigation into the shooting remained ongoing Saturday afternoon. Holmes is offering $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of a suspect.

Anyone with information was asked to call the Country Club Hills Police Department at 708-798-3191. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by calling the department’s sworn tip line at 708-206-2899.