{"id":294959,"date":"2026-06-03T21:31:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T21:31:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/294959\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T21:31:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T21:31:09","slug":"lowndes-high-grad-killed-in-tallahassee-parking-garage-remembered-as-smart-competitive-giving-person","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/294959\/","title":{"rendered":"Lowndes High grad killed in Tallahassee parking garage remembered as \u2018smart, competitive, giving person\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – As family and friends prepare to say goodbye to an 18-year-old high school football star who recently died in a Tallahassee shooting<\/a>, his former coach and mentor is reflecting on the teen\u2019s legacy. <\/p>\n

Gavin Yates-Lyons died Friday morning <\/a>after he and two others were injured in a Tallahassee parking garage shooting almost two weeks ago. <\/p>\n

Yates-Lyons was a standout player at Lowndes High School, but previously played at St. John Paul II Catholic High School in Tallahassee. <\/p>\n

His former coach at St. John Paul II, Tremaine Hughes, said he was going to leave for college the weekend of the shooting. <\/p>\n

\u201c[He was] a child of God, smart, competitive, loved his family, loved his friends, a giving person,\u201d Hughes said. \u201cHe is about to leave, and for that to happen, it is heartbreaking. It is devastating, and the only thing that can really get you through a moment like that is family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"GavinGavin Yates-Lyons is described as having a \u201ckind heart and deep love for his family and friends.\u201d(Tremaine Hughes)<\/p>\n

Yates-Lyons enrolled at Ball State in Indiana and was set to play football there this fall. Loved ones say he left a mark on and off the field.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt makes you sad thinking about missing the future moments, him getting married, him having kids, him graduating college, him continuing to mentor young men in the community,\u201d Hughes said. <\/p>\n

Now, loved ones are relying on faith as they prepare to say goodbye. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is for us, the true definition of what family looks like. It is not necessarily just who you are related to but who you are entangled with, who is your actually family, who is actually there for you when times are difficult. He was a person who connected a lot of people, so everyone is still trying to process the loss,\u201d Hughes said. <\/p>\n

\"GavinGavin Yates-Lyons graduated from Lowndes High School on May 23. He was shot less than 24 hours after graduating, and he was signed to play football for Ball State University.<\/p>\n

(Tremaine Hughes)<\/p>\n

Lyons\u2019 coach at Lowndes High School confirmed there was an honor walk for Yates-Lyons on Saturday, which is a solemn ceremony for those who choose to be organ donors when they die.<\/p>\n

Funeral arrangements for Yates-Lyons are still in the works. <\/p>\n

No arrests have been announced in connection with the shooting as of Wednesday. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the police department at (850) 891-4200. You can also call Crime Solvers at (850) 574-TIPS.<\/p>\n

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