Photo credit: Twitter screenshot
Misfortune has struck the recruiting lines of the Georgia Bulldogs football team.
According to multiple reports, a new recruit, EJ Lightsey, was shot dead in his hometown of Fitzgerald, Georgia on Monday.
The linebacker sustained multiple gunshot wounds but is reportedly in stable condition. The new freshman seems to have been the victim of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Georgia 2022 LB Signee EJ Lightsey was shot and appears to be making a full recovery pic.twitter.com/AXKAJjEfdF
— Cfbnewstoday (@cfbnewstoday) February 22, 2022
Wrong place. Wrong time.
Police have reported to multiple media outlets that Lightsey was exercising at the park at the time of filming.
Lightsey was reportedly shot in the back and also in the shoulder during the incident. However, he is expected to recover from the problem, which isn’t ideal for any new Division I football prospect.
Additionally, the incident could be attributed to gang-related activities, according to Fitzgerald Police Chief William Smallwood Jr. Unfortunately, no arrests have been made in the case.
Prayers for Georgia Signee EJ Lightsey..💯🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/NIr1Dq7IU1
— Chauncey Figgures (@cmfiggures) February 22, 2022
The incident
Local police officers reportedly responded after Fitzgerald authorities learned of a shooting at a local park. When they arrived, one victim was still on the ground, while Lightsey, the other victim, had already been transported to a hospital by his staff.
Lightsey was reportedly taken to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia, nearly an hour and a half away.
“Lightsey was the one who was picked up and taken to the hospital,” Smallwood told the media. “After that I can’t tell you exactly what happened because we have so many different stories and versions of it. We’re just trying to put it together.”
EJ Lightsey could use your prayers.
— Radi Nabulsi (@RadiNabulsi) February 22, 2022
Georgia Gangs
According to the Valdosta Daily Times, gang activity has increased in rural Georgia. Additionally, according to the Georgia Gang Investigators Association website, “The state of Georgia is in the midst of a crisis caused by violent criminal street gangs. Communities live in fear and youth are lost to gang life.”
Alabama vs. Georgia for the CFP National Championship | Nick Saban continues to own his former assistants
In an effort by the GGIA to “support communities and law enforcement in the fight to reclaim our neighborhoods and save our youth,” the organization released a 2018 survey of local law enforcement the following year.
The organization counted more than 71,000 gang members and gang associates in the Peach State, including prison inmates. According to The GGIA, the survey identified nearly 1,600 active groups in Georgia; Local law enforcement reported the presence of gang members in all but two of Georgia’s 159 counties and all but four school systems.
When you pray, pray for EJ Lightsey. Some people are just bad
— Len Spivey 🐺 (@len_spivey66) February 22, 2022
The Georgia Perspective
Over the years, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has cited the group’s findings and horrific violent incidents as he vowed to shut down street gang activities.
“All you have to do is get your local newspaper, turn on the television, or talk to your law enforcement agency in your community,” Kemp said at a news conference.
“It’s a serious issue in our state — one we cannot ignore if we hope to be the best state in the nation to live, work, start a business and raise a family,” Kemp added added.
Last season, Lightsey helped lead Fitzgerald High School to a Class 2A state championship and was a senior high school inside linebacker. Hopefully, Georgia’s rural gang presence won’t derail his athletic career.
More news from our partners:
“The autopsy initiative is an important step” | Colin Kaepernick is expanding his Know Your Rights camp
“Who Knows Our Stories Better Than We?”: Why Blacks Should Write Their Own Obituaries
According to a study, falling college requirements would help boost hiring in the US
