Early Wednesday morning, the tragic death of Alex Foster, a defensive lineman at Baylor University, was confirmed by the coroner’s office in Washington County. The 18-year-old was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds in a car in his hometown of Greenville, Mississippi. This alarming incident is part of a larger “surge in violent crimes” that has prompted Greenville Mayor Errick D. Simmons to issue a curfew aimed at reducing the rampant violence, which has been characterized by numerous shootings and “senseless killings.” Simmons highlighted the urgency of the situation by implementing a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
In announcing Foster’s death, Baylor had not initially disclosed the cause, but the Mississippi Clarion Ledger soon identified him as the victim of this Greenville shooting. Greenville Police spokeswoman Major Misty Mew shared that officers responded to a call regarding a shooting in a mixed residential and commercial area shortly after midnight. Upon arriving, they found a man inside a vehicle, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite being transported to the hospital, the victim succumbed to his injuries approximately 30 to 40 minutes later. No suspects have been apprehended yet, and the police are actively seeking any information that might lead to an arrest.
Baylor’s coach Dave Aranda, together with athletic director Mack Rhoades, expressed their devastation over Foster’s sudden passing in a joint statement. They assured that their immediate focus would be on providing support to Foster’s family and teammates during this difficult time. Aranda also shared a heartfelt message, reminiscing about Foster’s significant impact on the team and expressing condolences to his loved ones.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 292 pounds, Foster was recognized as one of Mississippi’s top-20 prospects and ranked 69th among defensive linemen nationally by 247Sports. He had participated in spring practices and was anticipated to officially join the team in the upcoming season after redshirting the previous year.
Mayor Simmons emphasized that all nightclubs and late-night venues in Greenville are required to halt operations by midnight as part of the safety measures, stressing the importance of “juvenile safety and parental accountability.” He underscored the intent behind these restrictions as a way to safeguard the community amidst this “growing crisis,” affirming that “enough is enough” when it comes to violence affecting local neighborhoods.