Jamiel Shaw, a star athlete at Los Angeles High School, was gunned down near his West Adams home on Sunday on the 2100 block of S. 5th Street. While on the phone with his girlfriend, Shaw, 17, was allegedly approached by two Latino men and asked what gang he was affiliated with. When he didn't say anything, they shot him.

After being shot, Shaw was discovered by his father, Jamiel Shaw Sr. who had heard gunshots and came rushing out to find his son bleeding on the sidewalk.

Jamiel's mother, Anita Shaw, is a sergeant in the Army serving her second tour of duty in Iraq. KCAL9 reported she was coming home in the aftermath of her son's death. -- Daily Breeze

Los Angeles police officials described the killing as random and senseless, cutting down a youth who had been doing everything right in his life -- from hitting the books to never missing church to inspiring the Los Angeles High Romans to last year's Southern League title. -- LA Times

Jamiel Shaw was not involved in a gang, and had received calls from colleges, including Standford and Rutgers, based on his outstanding football record, according to Scout.com.

The Shaw family will hold a candlelight vigil at their house tonight, just blocks from where Jamiel Shaw was killed.

Top photo by rickonine via Flickr, photo of Jamiel Shaw via firstandgoalnation.com