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    Gun violence: Baylor football player Alex Foster, 18, fatally shot in Greenville, Mississippi

    Synopsis

    Baylor University is in mourning after the tragic death of 18-year-old defensive lineman Alex Foster, who was fatally shot in his hometown of Greenville, Mississippi. Foster, a highly-regarded football prospect, was found wounded in a vehicle and passed away shortly after. Police are investigating the shooting, while the community grapples with the loss of a promising young athlete.

    Alex Foster
    Baylor football community mourns the loss of 18-year-old defensive lineman Alex Foster, fatally shot in Greenville, Mississippi
    The Baylor football community is mourning the loss of Alex Foster, an 18-year-old defensive lineman, who was fatally shot early Wednesday morning(May 29) in his hometown of Greenville, Mississippi.

    The Washington County Coroner’s Office confirmed Foster died from multiple gunshot wounds shortly after arriving at Delta Health Center.

    Police responded to a report of gunfire at approximately 12:11 am on May 29, finding Foster wounded inside a vehicle. Despite emergency efforts, he passed away less than an hour later. The Greenville Police Department is actively investigating the shooting, though no suspects have yet been identified.

    Foster’s death has cast a deep shadow over Greenville, a city already grappling with a recent rise in violent incidents. In response, city officials have imposed a 9 pm to 6 am curfew aimed at calming escalating tensions and safeguarding residents.

    Who was Alex Foster?


    Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 292 pounds, Foster was widely recognized as one of Mississippi’s top football talents.

    A graduate of St. Joseph High School in Greenville, he was ranked the 13th best recruit in the state by 247Sports and drew offers from several major college programs, including Georgia Tech, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Kentucky, and Texas. Ultimately, he chose Baylor University, where he redshirted his freshman year and was preparing to enter his sophomore season.

    John Baker, Foster’s high school coach, painted a portrait of a young man with quiet determination and a hopeful outlook on life. “He was just a great guy. Real quiet, soft-spoken guy. Had his head on right and was wanting to make it out,” Baker told the Clarion Ledger. “He was a good dude, man.”

    Condolences pour in


    At Baylor, athletic director Mack B. Rhoades and head coach Dave Aranda expressed profound grief over the loss of “a beloved teammate, friend, and cherished part of the Baylor Family.” They pledged to support Foster’s family and teammates through the “devastating loss,” emphasizing that his memory will forever remain part of the university’s community.

    The Big 12 Conference also released a statement extending its deepest condolences to Foster’s loved ones and the Baylor community during this difficult time.

    Foster’s tragic death highlights the harsh reality of gun violence that continues to take promising lives far too soon. Friends and family remember him not just as a gifted athlete but as a kind-hearted young man with a bright future ahead, one cruelly cut short.

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