Community mourns ex-high school player reportedly killed over headphones

A former high school football player with special needs was killed Saturday in Philadelphia over a pair of Beats by Dre headphones, the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

According to the paper, Christian Massey was shot in the chest in the driveway of a home in the Overbrook section of the city, and no arrests have been made.

The 21-year-old Massey was left as a ward to the state when he was 12 years old and was beloved at Marple Newtown High School, which he attended for six years before graduating in June. During his time at the school, Massey played two years of varsity football, one year of basketball and was the manager of the baseball team.

"Christian was a great kid who was also a responsible kid, too, and let you know when or if he wasn't able to make practice," the school's football coach, Ray Gionta, told the paper. "Athletically, he had some ability. He was a big kid who could move. Knowing Christian and what I know about the shooting, there probably wasn't any confrontation. He would avoid that at all costs. He didn't have a mean streak in his body. The kids absolutely loved Christian."

According to the Philadelphia Inqurirer, Massey, who lived with his grandmother after he graduated, had traded in his old Beats headphones for a newer model on Black Friday.

He was shot on his way to meet some friends after he refused to give up the headphones to a would-be robber, authorities say. Massey was reportedly conscious when police found him but died 30 minutes later at University of Pennsylvania hospital.

"With Christian, it was about being involved and feeling like he belonged,"€ Dennis Reardon, Marple Newtown's assistant principal and athletic director, told the Daily News. "€œHe was just a lovable kid who was a big part of our school, a spirited kid who was good to other people. There's no question about it that this news has rocked the whole school. There was pain on the faces of a lot of people today. People rallied around this kid. He was well-loved by all."

Said his grandmother, Eula Hodge: "€œHe was as sweet as could be."€

The family held a vigil for Massey on Monday.

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