Star high school athlete killed in shooting
One of the four people killed in the mass shooting in Dadeville, Alabama, was a star high school football player and track team member, his coach told ABC News.
Philstavious "Phil" Dowdell, a senior at Dadeville High School, had committed to attending Jacksonville State University on a football scholarship, said coach Roger McDowell.
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IMcDowell said Dowdell was at a sweet 16 birthday party at a venue in Dadeville Saturday night when a shooting erupted.
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In addition to those killed, at least 28 people were injured. McDowell said Dowdell's mother, who was a chaperone at the party, was among those hurt, shot twice in the legs.
Rich Rodriguez, Jacksonville State's head football coach, said in a post on Twitter Sunday, that the death of Dowdell and the other victims is a "senseless tragedy."
"He was a great young man with a bright future," Rodriguez tweeted. "My staff and I are heartbroken and hope that everyone will support his family through this difficult time."
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McDowell said he also knew a teenage girl who was killed in the shooting. He said she was a senior and the manager of the track and football teams.
In addition to being a standout wide receiver, Dowdell was also a member of the high school track team, McDowell said.
"Phil was humble with a major smile," McDowell told ABC News. "He had one goal to get to the NFL and take care of his mom."
-ABC News' Elwyn Lopez