JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — The Young Audiences Charter Schools community is grieving the loss of a young man killed on the West Bank last night.
19-year-old Tyler Williams from Bridge City, was shot and killed in unincorporated Westwego Monday night. His football coach told me he believes he had a big career in football ahead of him.
Williams' former football coach Shelby Skipper told WWL Louisiana Williams' aspirations, "Was to play in college and one day, you know, playing the NFL."
He said Williams loved to play football, saying, "Tyler was very good. He played linebacker for us."
"Tyler was a huge tackler made every play good... He listened, listen to detail, he understand what the offense was trying to do. And he took football serious."
He said he also loved to dance.
Before graduating last year, he was team captain for the Young Audiences Charter Schools football team. That's where Coach Skipper met Tyler and coached him for two years. Coach Skipper says after Williams graduated they stayed in touch.
"Tyler was a big ball of life." Coach Skipper says Tyler received several scholarship offers to play college football.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office says the shooting happened at 7:30 p.m. Monday night. It happened in the 900 block of W. Krueger Ln., in unincorporated Westwego. JPSO says Williams was found with multiple gun shot wounds.
A neighbor says one of the bullets came through his front door.
Coach Skipper said, "Losing one of my athletes, or one of my student athletes, is like losing a child... because as a coach, you're damn near the father figure to you know, to these kids, they look at you.. they're in your possession for two or three hours, however, long practice is."
In a statement Young Audiences Charter Schools said, "We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of one of our Young Audiences Charter School alumnus, Tyler Williams. Tyler was a beloved student with a vibrant spirit and a passion for the arts. The outpouring of love and compassion from our community is a testament to the impact Tyler had on all of us. He was and will always be a huge part of the YACS community, and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences are with his family at this difficult time."
JPSO says the investigation is ongoing, they urge anyone with any information to contact them or Crimestoppers.
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