Young Georgia football star Elijah Dewitt was shot and killed outside Dave and Busters in Lawrenceville, Georgia, outside of Atlanta. DeWitt’s mom says he was on a date with his girlfriend Wednesday night, October 5th, when a botched robbery attempt ended his life.

18-yr-old Elijah Dewitt pictured with his girlfriend

Police have charged two teens with killing him, arresting 18-year-old Kemare Bryan and 19-year-old Chandler Richardson.

Bryan and Richardson were arrested in South Carolina and were brought to Gwinnett County on Monday. Investigators say Elijah may have known the two young men who are alleged to have killed him.

Craig DeWitt, Elijah’s dad, says the family has forgiven the shooters.

“We don’t know the kids; we don’t know their backgrounds, we don’t know their story. They are forgiven from me…he was an amazing kid. He looked at every day as a gift. He lived life definitely to the fullest.”

“Forgiveness is for the forgiver. We don’t want the hate in this household,” he added.

The community gathered to remember 18-year-old Dewitt during a vigil Sunday night. Friends, family, and community members mourned together, sharing stories of Elijah’s life.

“If you could have a tragedy like this somewhere, I’d say this is it; come here to have that one because it has just been an amazing community,” Craig said.

Elijah hoped to go on and play college football after graduating from Jefferson High School.

Join The Conversation. Leave a Comment.


We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.