The father of New Mexico linebacker Donnie White Jr. was murdered in St. Louis on Thursday, Lobos head coach Bob Davie announced in a statement on Friday.
The father of New Mexico linebacker Donnie White Jr. was murdered in St. Louis on Thursday, Lobos head coach Bob Davie announced in a statement on Friday.
Donnie White Sr., a retired U.S. Army sergeant, was 52.
White Jr., a sophomore outside linebacker flew back to his hometown of St. Louis Thursday night to be with his family. There were six homicides in an 18-hour period in St. Louis on Thursday and Friday.
According to Christine Byers of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "The stretch of violence began just before 3 p.m. [CT] Thursday when at least two shooters opened fire with AK-47 and AR-15 rifles at Adelaide Avenue and Hall Street, police said. They wounded what police said were two innocent victims and killed a third, retired Army veteran Donald White, 52. He was struck in the chest and died at a hospital. Police found more than 50 shell casings at the scene."
Davie released a statement on the team's official Twitter page.
— New Mexico Football (@NewMexicoFB) September 5, 2014
"Donnie came to our office at about 4:00 pm Thursday and informed us of this horrible tragedy. He was obviously devastated..."
— New Mexico Football (@NewMexicoFB) September 5, 2014
"...as we all were by the news. We were able to get Donnie back to St. Louis last night to be with his family."
— New Mexico Football (@NewMexicoFB) September 5, 2014
"Donnie White, Sr., 52, was a retired U.S. Army sergeant."
— New Mexico Football (@NewMexicoFB) September 5, 2014
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Donnie and his family as they deal with this shocking loss."
— New Mexico Football (@NewMexicoFB) September 5, 2014
New Mexico (0-1) plays host to No. 17 Arizona State on Saturday. White had three tackles in the Lobos' season-opening loss to UTEP.
- Chris Mascaro