PHILADELPHIA (KYW) – A 17-year-old high school student known for his prowess in basketball and academics was shot and killed outside his Philadelphia home as he left for school.
Noah Scurry, a 17-year-old Samuel Fels High School basketball player, was shot and killed around 7:15 a.m. Tuesday. He was getting in the car with his mother at their home when the shooting happened, according to Monique Braxton, a spokesperson for the School District of Philadelphia.
Police say Scurry was shot multiple times. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:37 a.m.
“The principal, coach, players, classmates, peers are distraught. This is unimaginable for them,” Braxton said. “This student was about to graduate. He probably would’ve had offers to play basketball at colleges across the country. It’s just a life senselessly cut short.”
After initially saying a weapon was recovered, police said later Tuesday none was found at the scene. Homicide detectives are investigating what led up to the shooting and the whereabouts of any suspect or suspects.
“He was very helpful, even when he wasn’t called upon,” Braxton said. “If he saw someone walking down the hallway and they needed assistance carrying books to classes, he was the one who reached out to offer assistance. He didn’t get in any trouble here at school. So, no one can really wrap their head around why this would happen to him.”
In addition to playing basketball, Scurry was his school’s highest scorer on the SAT. After his death, the school canceled games for the rest of the week.
“The whole school seemed upset. I saw people crying. It was just traumatic,” said Mohamed Elfaki, a 10th grade student. “He was really smart. Whenever he entered a room, the room always lit. There was always a smile on somebody’s face when you were around him. Just so sad to think that he died.”
Mental health professionals will be available for students who want assistance coping with their grief. School counselors will also be available to talk.
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