PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A community is mourning after a Tigard High School graduate was killed in Eugene early Saturday morning.
Alex Oyombe Gradin, 21, left a huge mark on the school, where he was a member of the Tigers track and football teams before graduating in 2016.
“Alex was a very genuine kid, kind soul, very likable, infectious smile, laugh, all around good kid,” Tigard football coach Jonn Kemper said.
There has been an outpouring of grief on social media from friends and former teammates.
“There’s some teachers that had him that are struggling,” Kemper said. “They’re still kind of grasping it, trying to find answers.”
After graduation, he played on Western Oregon University’s football team before transferring to Lane Community College in Eugene.
“He was a kid who just loved to play the game,” Kemper said.
Lane Community College sent a letter to students about the death:
It is with a very heavy heart that I write to inform you that LCC student Alex Gradin has passed away. He was the victim of a fatal gun shooting that took place near the University of Oregon campus early Saturday morning.
Tragedies like this bring much emotions. During times of grief and sadness, it is important for us to not be alone, but to connect with people and resources that bring comfort and help us process these feelings and emotions.
Senseless tragedies like this provide a reminder of the need to be always vigilant, and to cherish and appreciate each other and our loved ones. We will honor Alex’s life and support each other as we move forward.
Counseling services are available to students at the LCC health clinic.
Eugene Police said Gradin was shot in a parking lot at SE 13th Avenue and Kincade Street, just off the University of Oregon’s campus. A student living at a fraternity house next door heard the gunshots at 1:44 a.m. and rushed out to find Gradin bleeding from a chest wound.
“That’s when I was like, OK, I need to start praying,” the witness said. “I’m still in shock of seeing someone get shot like that and watching them die.”
Eugene police are investigating the homicide and asking any Uber, Lyft or cab drivers who were in the area and may have cameras in their cars to call the police.
Gradin’s family provided this statement via Eugene police:
“We appreciate the outpouring of love and concern we have received in the tragic death of our son, Alex. He was an unexpected blessing to our lives when he joined us as a baby in Kenya and grew to be a compassionate, thoughtful young man. He naturally made many friends all over the world, who are grieving right now. We request at this time that you allow us to heal and support each other as a family.”