A 17-year-old was killed and another person was wounded in a shooting early Sunday morning at a hotel near the Dallas Medical District, police say.
Officers responded at about 1:35 a.m. to the shooting call at a room at the Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Dallas Love Field in the 7900 block of Brookriver Drive. Tony Evans Jr. of Lancaster, was taken to a local hospital, where he died. The second victim was in stable condition Sunday, police said.
“I was in shock, I really didn’t believe it at first," said Dalyn Thompson, who played football with Evans at Lancaster High School. "He kind of treated everyone like family, if he knew them, he treated them like he had known them his whole life."
The University of Wyoming confirmed Evans was set to join its football program in the fall.
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“Our hearts are with the Evans family as they go through this incredibly difficult time,” University of Wyoming head football coach Craig Bohl said in a statement. “We are so sad to hear of Tony’s passing. We have been in contact with Tony’s family and are here to support them in anyway we can.”
Bohl was on Tulsa’s coaching staff when Evans’ father played for the Golden Hurricane in the 1980s.
A group of students got together for a party the night of the shooting, a spokesperson for Lancaster ISD said Monday.
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The district would not confirm whether the second person shot and injured was a Lancaster High School student.
Corey Borner, a motivational speaker and former high school football player who was paralyzed during practice said he remembered talking to Evans and his teammates a few years ago.
He took to Twitter to plead for an end to gun violence.
“A lot of people are quick to grab guns and want to shoot to kill instead of talking it out,” Borner said. “It can be the smallest misunderstanding, just the smallest thing and you’re quick to pick up a gun and do something so tragic and so wrong.”
He asked North Texas youth to think twice before they act.
“Think before you do things because gun violence has to stop,” Borner said. “Love life and live life in a positive way.”
Evans' mother spent Monday making funeral arrangements.
Anyone with information about the shooting, which is documented as case 061917-2021, may call Detective Kim Mayfield at 214-671-3646 or email kimberly.mayfield@dallascityhall.com.
Crime Stoppers is offering up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest or indictment. Tips may be made by calling Crime Stoppers at 214-373-8477.
