Teenage Nigerian-American Football Prospect Killed in Georgia Shooting, Family Seeks Justice

The family of an 18-year-old Nigerian-American, Anthony Onochie, has called for justice after he was fatally shot in Columbus, Georgia, United States, with no arrest made three days after the incident.

Anthony, the twin son of Anayo and Donna Onochie, was reportedly shot during an altercation with another teenager in the early hours of Saturday, July 11, 2026. He later died from injuries sustained in the attack.

According to local broadcaster WTVM, Anthony had recently graduated from Northside High School with an outstanding 4.3 GPA and was preparing to begin a finance degree at Georgia State University in August. He was also regarded as a talented football prospect with a promising future.

Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton said the teenager was found with multiple gunshot wounds on Lee Road 1-97 shortly after 1:30 a.m. He was rushed to Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries later that morning.

The shooting occurred shortly after the Onochie family returned from a week-long vacation in Florida.

Speaking in the aftermath of the tragedy, Anthony’s twin brother, Andrew, condemned gun violence and appealed to authorities to conduct a thorough investigation.

“I don’t think boys in their 20s need guns. We didn’t even get to send my brother off to college. I want the truth found out about my brother. I want the full truth. I want every aspect of the truth,” he said.

Andrew described his late brother as respectful, fearless and law-abiding, insisting he had no involvement in criminal activity.

“My parents did not raise him like that. He’s Nigerian. He does not play,” he said, while calling for the perpetrator to be brought to justice.

A family friend, Dr. Okey Anueyiagu, also mourned Anthony’s death, describing it as another painful reminder of the growing toll of gun violence in the United States.

He said Anthony’s parents were devastated by the loss of their son and urged authorities and policymakers to take stronger measures to address the persistent wave of shootings.

“I am gravely perturbed that the life of such a promising young boy was so carelessly cut short,” Anueyiagu said in a social media post.

As of Tuesday, law enforcement authorities had not announced any arrest in connection with the killing, while investigations into the shooting remain ongoing.