High school football star, 18, shot dead on a date with his girlfriend

A high school football star was fatally shot while on a date with his girlfriend in a distressing incident last week, multiple outlets have reported.

Elijah DeWitt, 18, was shot at around 8:00 PM in a parking lot outside of a Dave and Buster's in Lawrenceville, Georgia, after he allegedly became involved in an altercation with two other young men, The New York Post reported.

A 911 call was made following the shooting, on which DeWitt's girlfriend, Bailey Reidling, was heard screaming, The Daily Mail detailed. During the call, someone can be heard saying: "I was at Dave and Buster's, I heard people screaming, I look towards my right, and I see someone lay down. I've never seen anything like this, man."

Two days after the deadly incident, Kemare Bryan, 18, and Chandler Richardson, 19, were apprehended by police in South Carolina.

In a statement issued by the police department, it was noted that "detectives are still working to investigate the motive behind this incident. It appears that the suspects and the victim were familiar with each other and when they encountered each other in the parking lot, an altercation took place and then the shooting."

Bryan and Richardson were charged with malice and felony murder, as well as possession of a firearm and aggravated assault.

DeWitt's mom, Dawn, spoke to FOX5 Atlanta about the shooting, stating that it was a botched robbery attempt and adding: "I want him to be remembered as a fierce competitor with a very large heart."

Jefferson High School, where DeWitt played as a receiver on the football team, issued a statement on Twitter following the talented athlete's death.

"The Jefferson High School Football program is heartbroken as we mourn the loss of one of our own, Elijah DeWitt. The DeWitt family is in our thoughts and prayers. We appreciate your understanding as we respect the family's privacy during this time," the tweet read.

DeWitt's father, Craig, told FOX 5 that he has already forgiven his son's alleged murderers, remarking: "Forgiveness is for the forgiver. We don't want the hate in this household."

Bailey Reidling, who was in an almost three-year relationship with DeWitt, added: "He said life moves on, it's sad, but you got to pick back up and you can't be mad at anybody."

Earlier this week, a candlelight vigil was held in DeWitt's honor and was attended by roughly one hundred people.

A funeral service will be held for the football player at the Jefferson High School arena on Wednesday (October 12) from 6:00 PM.

Featured image credit: D Javier / Alamy