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| Credit: Anaya Rosé/Facebook |
According to Atlanta Police Department Deputy Chief Charles Hampton, Jr., Sterling was sitting in a car with another individual when they had a disagreement, which led to the firing of shots, as reported by PEOPLE.
Sterling was found dead when APD arrived on the scene, and Keontay Holliman-Peoples, the alleged shooter, has been taken into custody and is facing charges related to the killing, including felony murder and aggravated assault.
Hampton confirmed that Holliman-Peoples is not a student and has a criminal history in two separate states.
The incident has understandably caused concern among the student community at Clark Atlanta University, where Sterling was a sophomore and played for the baseball team.
However, Hampton emphasized that this was not a random homicide and that Sterling knew Holliman-Peoples. Police are still searching for a third individual who was in the car with Sterling and Holliman-Peoples.
Sterling's tragic death has shocked and saddened those who knew him. His former baseball coach, Earnest Radcliff, described him as a talented athlete and an honors student who was highly respected in his community.
Radcliff had spoken to Sterling just a week before his death, when Sterling shared his hopes of becoming a rapper.
In response to the tragedy, Clark Atlanta University has provided counseling services to students and held a candlelight vigil in Sterling's honor.
The university's police chief, Debra Williams, has also pledged to work with local police to ensure the safety of students on campus and in the surrounding areas.
Williams reassured the community that security cameras are in place around the campus and nearby streets, and police have increased their presence in the area.
Father Urey Patrick Mark called for a prayer service to mourn Sterling's passing. Sterling's mother has flown down from Chicago to be with her son, and anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
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