One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Lakers guard Wayne Ellington takes leave of absence following father's death
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 29: Wayne Ellington of the Los Angeles Lakers during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on October 29, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. Ellington took a leave of absence Tuesday following his father's death in Philadelphia.
(
Christian Petersen/Getty Images
)
Lakers guard Wayne Ellington will be taking an indefinite leave of absence following the murder of his father in Philadelphia this past Sunday, according to a statement from the team. It is not clear when he will rejoin the team.
"Our players are upset for their friend and teammate," Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said in Tuesday's statement.
"Additionally, ownership and all Lakers employees are also saddened by this tragedy. Those of us who work with and have gotten to know Wayne have come to know what a wonderful and caring person he is. Our hearts go out to Wayne and his family, as do our thoughts and prayers."
The Philadelphia Daily News reported Tuesday that Wayne Ellington's father, who shared the same name as his son, was found inside his vehicle with a gunshot wound to the head. He later died at an area hospital. Police said they had neither motive nor suspects in the killing.
Lakers Coach Byron Scott provided words of support to his player via the team's Twitter account.
Byron: “It’s real life stuff. It just puts everything in perspective. Wayne will be on our mind.“
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 11, 2014
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
