FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (AP) — A teenager who was shot to death at a weekend pool party south of Atlanta has been identified as a 19-year-old Kentucky State University student who had gone to high school in Georgia.
Wali Clanton was a 2014 graduate of Dutchtown High School in Hampton, Georgia, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
He was a walk-on football player at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, school spokeswoman Felicia Lewis told The Associated Press.
Four other teens were wounded and they are expected to survive, Fayette County sheriff's officials said.
As many as 200 people were at the party Saturday night in Fayetteville, Georgia, which was advertised on social media, authorities said. A fight broke out after the homeowner arrived and tried to break up the party late that night, Fayette County Sheriff Barry Babb said.
Around that time, shots were fired and Clanton was struck in the chest and killed, authorities said.
"He's a phenomenal kid," his father, Wali Clanton Sr., told WXIA-TV. "He's just an awesome kid."
Kentucky State University President Raymond M. Burse described Clanton as an active student and said the school was "deeply saddened" by his death.
"A potential nursing student, Wali often assisted with the university's Student Health Center activities and was always ready with a big smile," Burse said. "We were certainly upset upon hearing the news of this young man's tragic death in Georgia. He will remain in our thoughts as the campus community comes together in light of this tragedy. We offer our deepest sympathy and support to Wali Clanton's family and friends."
Sheriff's officials have been investigating what led to the gunfire and trying to identify suspects.
"It's crazy. A teenager is dead, over nothing," said Marques Woods, who said he heard at least 10 to 13 gunshots.
"I just want to know why," Woods told the Atlanta TV station. "Was it really that important to take a life?"