A tragic story out of Philadelphia as a brother has been charged with fatally shooting his twin to death Sunday. The twins played for Mastery Charter School.
The shooting took place when the twins’ father was showing them how to use a gun, Philly.com reported.
High school students, some wearing blue and white football jerseys, gathered around Fayaadh Gillard at Penn’s Landing, literally holding him up so he did not collapse to the ground.
Before breaking into sobs, Fayaadh, 18, led the group of students and faculty from Mastery Charter School Lenfest Campus in chanting “Long live Su, long live Su, long live Su.” Then they released blue balloons into the cloudy sky above the bank of the Delaware River.
The vigil Wednesday afternoon, which drew close to 100 members of the senior class and their teachers, was for Suhail Gillard, Fayaadh’s twin brother, whom police say he shot to death Sunday in an Overbrook apartment.
Fayaadh was charged with murder, possession of an instrument of crime, unsworn falsification to authorities, and obstructing justice. He was granted bail of $125,000, and was released after paying 10% of that amount.
The Mastery football coach told Philly.com Suhail excelled as a running back. A three-time All-Public League running back for the Pumas, Suhail Gillard had committed to attend West Virginia State University in the fall fall.
our hearts ache for you Puma family, rip Suhail Gillard. gone too soon…. pic.twitter.com/Ee32DuLhUa
— Pa Football News (@PaFootballNews) December 2, 2019
“No one at the age of 18 should lose their life. That’s too young. There are things he had yet to experience the pleasure of — being a young man and college athlete. There’s really no words,” John Davidson said.
It’s with grieving hearts that we inform you of the untimely passing of our beloved brother, Suhail Gillard. He was the most respected and hardest worker Mastery ever had the honor and privilege to put a jersey on. Rest well #Agent4🥀 4ever. pic.twitter.com/GYsAxZ3PHH
— Coach Mickey Grace (@Mickelod3on) December 2, 2019
This is the second tragic around high school football in the Delaware Valley in recent months. A 10-year-old died after shooting broke out at a Camden-Pleasantville playoff game in November.