Alabama football star headed to college on scholarship ID’d as among 4 dead in shooting at sister’s ‘Sweet 16’ party
A high-school football star and honor student set to graduate and play ball in college at a “Sweet 16” party for his little sister in Alabama on Saturday night.
Phil Dowdell, who recently committed to playing wide receiver at Jacksonville State University, was one of the best players in the state, a coach
“He was the No. 1 athlete in the school,’’ said Michael Taylor, an assistant football, basketball and track coach at Dadeville High.
“The first thing we’ve got to do is we’ve got to pray our way out of this,” Taylor said. “There ain’t no other way. … They’re all real close, like family, at the high school.”
The tragic high-school senior was slain at the celebration for his sibling Alexis, his stricken grandmother, Annette Allen,
“He was a very, very humble child. Never messed with anybody. Always had a smile on his face,” Allen said.
A week ago, Dowdell, “everyday my life go up & up, it’s hard for me to get mad.”
The same day, he shared snaps of himself and his senior-prom date, both of whom wore sparkly yellow outfits, with him in shorts and a matching jacket.
His sister updated her Facebook profile picture Sunday morning to a photo of her kissing her brother’s cheek.
Another murdered victim was identified as fellow Dadeville High School senior and former athlete KeKe Nicole Smith, who was described as “so full of love.”
A high-school football star and honor student set to graduate and play ball in college at a “Sweet 16” party for his little sister in Alabama on Saturday night.
Phil Dowdell, who recently committed to playing wide receiver at Jacksonville State University, was one of the best players in the state, a coach
“He was the No. 1 athlete in the school,’’ said Michael Taylor, an assistant football, basketball and track coach at Dadeville High.
“The first thing we’ve got to do is we’ve got to pray our way out of this,” Taylor said. “There ain’t no other way. … They’re all real close, like family, at the high school.”
The tragic high-school senior was slain at the celebration for his sibling Alexis, his stricken grandmother, Annette Allen,
“He was a very, very humble child. Never messed with anybody. Always had a smile on his face,” Allen said.
A week ago, Dowdell, “everyday my life go up & up, it’s hard for me to get mad.”
The same day, he shared snaps of himself and his senior-prom date, both of whom wore sparkly yellow outfits, with him in shorts and a matching jacket.
His sister updated her Facebook profile picture Sunday morning to a photo of her kissing her brother’s cheek.
Another murdered victim was identified as fellow Dadeville High School senior and former athlete KeKe Nicole Smith, who was described as “so full of love.”
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