LaGrange College to host gun violence walk for slain athlete

Published 4:13 pm Friday, February 23, 2024

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LaGrange College is hosting a memorial anti-gun violence walk to honor the life of a former football player.

On Sunday, the school will host the Walk Against Gun Violence LaGrange College in partnership with The Ball Out Foundation.

The event will honor the memory of LaKevin Ralpheal DeBruce, a former Panther and senior captain of the LaGrange College football team. DeBruce tragically lost his life to gun violence last fall in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama.

DeBruce, 22, was shot in West Birmingham on Nov. 18, 2023. Witnesses in the 2600 block of Avenue C in Birmingham reported gunfire and saw the victim falling out of a vehicle onto the roadway, according to Birmingham Police.

DeBruce later passed away at the University of Birmingham Hospital.

In memory of DeBruce, LaGrange College will host a gun violence walk on Sunday, Feb. 25, starting with the event starting at 1 p.m.

The walk will begin at 1:25 p.m. at the Callaway Education Building, located near Callaway Auditorium, and conclude at Callaway Stadium.

The event will kick off with comments from LaGrange College President Susanna Baxter, Pastor Michael Jackson and LaTanya Jemison, Founder of The Ball Out Foundation.

Following the walk, balloons will be released at Callaway Stadium and a bench will be dedicated in DeBruce’s honor. A signing for a scholarship in DeBruce’s honor is also planned.

Food trucks and music are planned following the bench dedication ceremony.