High school football star recruited to Wyoming dead after Dallas hotel room shooting

An unknown suspect is still on the loose after gunning down a Texas high school football star who had recently signed with the University of Wyoming’s 2021 recruiting class, authorities said. 

On April 11 around 1:35 a.m., Tony Evans Jr., 17, and another person were wounded in a shooting in a room at Hawthorn Suites near Love Field airport.

“All I remember is shots fired, girls screaming,” Courtney Massingill, who was on his way to hang out with wide receiver Evans at a party in the hotel, told The Dallas Morning News. 

The 18-year-old witness said he ran as fast as he could to room 221 and saw his childhood friend “laying in a puddle of blood.”

Massingill and friends rushed Evans, unconscious but still breathing, to the hospital, where the high school senior set to become a father next month later died. The other person shot is reportedly listed in stable condition.

“We are on an emotional rollercoaster,” the murder victim’s mother, Aretha Evans, told the newspaper. “Our son’s life was abruptly ended. We have been left broken-hearted. Pray for us to have strength as we prepare to lay our beloved Tony Evans Jr. to rest.”

Investigators have not determined a motive for the crime.

“He was a leader,” Donald Richards said of his Lancaster Tigers teammate, Fort Worth’s KTVT reported. “He always brought good energy. He’d tell people to pick their heads up if something was wrong.”

The University of Wyoming’s head coach extended his condolences to Evans' loved ones.

“We are so sad to hear of Tony's passing,” Craig Bohl said in a statement, according to ESPN. “We have been in contact with Tony's family and are here to support them in any way we can.”

Dallas Crime Stoppers — (214) 373-TIPS — is offering a reward of up to $5,000 to anyone with information that leads to an arrest and indictment.