HARVEY, Ill. (WLS) — Keshawn Lewis-Hunt, a former football standout at Morgan Park High School and Eastern Illinois University, was shot and killed Monday during a birthday gathering at his grandmother’s home in south suburban Harvey, police and relatives said.
Lewis-Hunt, 20, was struck by gunfire multiple times during the house party, according to police. Family members said the shooting occurred shortly after 1:15 a.m. at the home near 160th Street and Ashland Avenue.
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Investigators said the violence followed a fight between two women at the celebration. Relatives said Lewis-Hunt stepped in to try to calm the situation and break up the confrontation when he was shot.
“As you was trying to break it up, break up a girl fight, you wind up getting shot,” his brother, Konya Hunt, said.
The death of Lewis-Hunt has left his family, friends and former coaches grieving the loss of a young man they watched grow into a talented athlete and respected person.
Nathan Irons, who coached Lewis-Hunt in youth football, said he had known him since he was just 7 years old.
“To watch somebody grow up, and they get taken away from you – that’s the worst feeling I got right now,” Irons said.
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Irons remembered Lewis-Hunt as someone who tried to defuse tension and bring peace to difficult moments, rather than escalate them.
“Key went out being who he was; always trying to de-escalate a situation. He didn’t care for the drama,” Irons said.
Lewis-Hunt later died at a hospital. His death ended aspirations of playing professional football, leaving loved ones mourning the loss of a young man they said had a promising future.
“Right now, I don’t even know because I’m not supposed to have last words for him,” Irons said as he cried.
Police said two other men were injured in the shooting. Family members said one of the injured men was Lewis-Hunt’s cousin, whose birthday was being celebrated.
No arrests have been announced, and the investigation remains ongoing.
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