Football players at Ashley Ridge High School found out Friday they have lost a teammate.
Easton Maxwell, 15, a freshman running back for the Ashley Ridge Junior Varsity team, has passed away after being shot. School officials have reason to believe the shooting was accidental and occurred while Maxwell, who liked to hunt, was cleaning a gun. Coroner Alice Durr, on Friday, said the case remains under investigation, but foul play is not suspected.
A release from the coroner’s office said Maxwell died at home at 6:20 p.m. Thursday from a single gunshot wound.
Summerville police Capt. Jon Rogers said the incident is under investigation.
Head football coach Kenny Walker said he did not talk to the teen’s family, but Principal Karen Radcliffe did. After talking to her, Walker had a team meeting to inform his players.
“We see our team as a family and any time a family loses someone it hurts,” Walker said. “We wanted to let them know the coaches are here for them.”
According to Walker, Maxwell is held in high regard by both coaches and players.
“He was a hard worker and had good grades, just an all-around great kid,” he said.”He was well liked by all his teammates and our staff. We used him as a running back because that is where we felt he would help us most, but he had the talent to play other positions as well.”