A high school basketball star from Laurel was fatally shot Friday afternoon at an apartment complex in Laurel.
A statement posted on Laurel School District’s Facebook page on Saturday identified the victim as Corey Mumford, a senior 6-foot-6 power forward recruited to play college ball out of Laurel High School.
“He is, indeed, gone far too soon,” Laurel Superintendent Shawn Larrimore wrote in the statement. “Let us all work together to stop the violence that end lives and breaks hearts.”
The Laurel Police Department responded to the shooting at 2:40 p.m. near the 100 block of Sunset Drive in Wexford Village Apartments. When officers arrived, they found the teen suffering from multiple gunshot wounds behind one of the apartment buildings. The officers began CPR until paramedics arrived.
He was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead. Police have released no other details.
Mumford recently won the state Blue-Gold basketball game MVP award for leading the Gold team to a 155-151 win. He was named first team All-Henlopen South and honorable mention All-State.
Word spread quickly Friday on social media about his shooting.
A post on the Facebook page for Shore Elite Basketball, where Mumford played youth basketball in Berlin, Maryland, described him as a “highlight reel.”
“We were lucky enough to have Corey play with us for 1 tournament last summer and our young boys were lined up to watch him play … He had that effect on us and our athletes,” the team wrote.
On Friday, Laurel Youth Sports, a local youth basketball program, said Mumford’s life was taken too soon.
“We were fortunate to have Corey share his talents with us last weekend in the Coaches VS Varsity game,” the program wrote. “Please keep his family in your prayers and stay safe.”
Mumford had planned on continuing his basketball career at Dundalk Community College, according to the district statement.
Larrimore said counselors and added security will be on hand at school on Monday to support students and staff and ensure a safe environment.
The Delaware State Police has taken over the investigation at the request of the Laurel Police Department.
Anyone who has information about this incident should contact Detective A. Bluto by calling 302-741-2859 or contact Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Contact local reporter Cameron Goodnight at cgoodnight@delawareonline.com, or by calling or texting 302-324-2208. Follow him on Twitter at @CamGoodnigh