Georgia football signee E.J. Lightsey was shot multiple times in a park on Monday and listed in stable condition.
Some alarming news has come in for Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart, as 2022 signee E.J. Lightsey was shot on Monday in his hometown. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach spoke with Fitzgerald (Georgia) Police Chief William Smallwood Jr. who told him Lightsey was shot in the shoulder and back.
Lightsey was taken to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital for treatment. He’s in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery from his injuries.
E.J. Lightsey signed with the Georgia Bulldogs in early February
Per Smallwood, officers responded to a call of a shooting at around 6:30 p.m. on Monday night. Lightsey had already been taken to the hospital by the time the police had arrived, but Smallwood said Lightsey had informed them that he was shot while working out in the park.
Lightsey, a 6-2, 210-pound linebacker, signed with Georgia on National Signing Day on Feb. 2. He picked up more than 20 offers throughout his recruitment, ultimately choosing the Bulldogs over Georgia Tech, Florida, Auburn, Florida, LSU, Miami, Michigan and many others.
He’ll be arriving in Athens this summer, but this update of his shooting is certainly concerning for Smart and the rest of his coaching staff. Smallwood said this incident appears to be gang-related as well. No arrests have been made yet following the shooting and the Fitzgerald Police Department has said they’ll continue to investigate and reach out to everyone involved so they can try and piece things together.
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