Authorities are searching for two men after an 18-year-old Indiana teenager was killed in a triple shooting at a Homecoming festival.
Corydon Central High School football player Bryce Gerlach was caught in crossfire between two groups involved in a dispute at the Harvest Homecoming festival.
According to New Albany Police, the shooting happened near the YMCA at Main and State streets around 10pm on October 12th.
Friends of the teenager believe he died protecting other members of his group from a bullet.
“After the first shots, we all kind of ran and I panicked,” a witness told WDRB.
Corydon Central High School football player Bryce Gerlach died after being caught in crossfire between two groups involved in a dispute at the Harvest Homecoming festival.
A 22-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman were also injured and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Authorities believe the three victims were innocent bystanders and were unrelated to the dispute that led to the shooting.
NAPD Police Chief Todd Bailey said the department has identified some people of interest in the case but has not yet named suspects.
Since then, friends and family of the young football player have set up several memorials to him across the city.
According to New Albany Police, the shooting happened near the YMCA at Main and State streets around 10pm on October 12th.
Friends of the teenager believe he died protecting other members of his group from a bullet
Mother Heather Gerlach remembered: 'We are devastated by the loss of Bryce. The pain is unimaginable. Friday we will celebrate Senior Night before the football game. Let's fix the stadium for Bryce.
'Bryce would love to see a full house. We are overwhelmed by all the love and support we have received from the community.'
Tanner Chumbly, who was one of Gerlach's closest friends on and off the field, told AZ Family: “I sat on my bed for hours and thought, 'Why him?' It shouldn't have been him. He didn't deserve this.
'It was very selfless what he did, and I'm grateful that he came out in such a heroic way, so that's how people remember him, because that's what he was. He was a hero.
“He always jumped to the front line to take on that leadership role,” Corydon Central head football coach Luke Keller added.
Mother Heather Gerlach recalled: 'We are devastated by the loss of Bryce. The pain is unimaginable. Friday we will celebrate Senior Night before the football game. Let's fix the stadium for Bryce. Bryce would love to see a full house. We are overwhelmed by all the love and support we are receiving from the community'
Corydon Central football coach Luke Keller also revealed that Gerlach dreamed of playing football in college and had some interest from Division I schools, including Middle Tennessee State University and Marshall University.
Girlfriend Precious Flahn also remembered Gerlach in a lengthy Facebook post
Keller also revealed that Gerlach dreamed of playing football in college and had some interest in Division I schools, including Middle Tennessee State University and Marshall University.
Girlfriend Precious Flahn recalled in a lengthy Facebook post: “One of the things you always said was that you will always worry about my safety, I knew you did that because you were my protector and my safe space and my home and I was yours.” I didn't know how serious you were until Saturday night with the Homecoming Harvest shooting.
'We plan to get engaged at 22, get married in our final year of college and travel to Italy for our honeymoon. We were just a few kids crazy in love having only known each other a year ago.
'I have so many regrets in my life, like not hugging you tight enough, not going to your first game, complaining about taking 20 million videos of you kicking for a shot, but one I will never have is knowing and loving you with everything. that I had. and be there trying to save you that Saturday night at harvest. I will forever be your girlfriend Bryce Andrew Gerlach and I love you more than you will ever know! '
The young teenager pictured here with his sister, Bella and brother
In a statement released Sunday, New Albany Mayor Jeff Gahan thanked the police officers, emergency workers and festival attendees who responded to the shooting.
'I want to offer my condolences to the family of the young man who lost his life last night in New Albany. My thoughts and prayers are with them today.'
“We have enjoyed a safe homecoming for nearly 57 years, but unfortunately, this type of gun violence is now all too common in the United States.
“Gun violence at a family festival is heartbreaking and tragic, and our country must find a way to come together to end this type of violence,” Gahan said.
