Ashley Griggs, the mother of Ohio State football player Carnell Tate, was killed in a drive-by shooting in West Garfield Park, Chicago, on Sunday. According to ABC7 Chicago, Ohio State University confirmed the deceased 40-year-old as Tate’s mother in a statement.
Tate started his tertiary education at Ohio State in January this year after attending Marist High School in Chicago. “We can confirm this was Carnell’s mother,” the university said in a statement. “Our coach and coaches are aware of this terrible tragedy, incredibly saddened and they, along with our players, will support Carnell in any way they can during this most difficult time.”
Chicago police said they received a report about a shooting incident after 2 a.m., adding that officers who responded to the scene found a woman with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced dead after she was taken to a hospital.
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Besides Tate’s mother, four other people sustained injuries from the shooting. Police said one of the victims informed them the shooter opened fire from a car. “Our coach and coaches are aware of this terrible tragedy, incredibly saddened and they, along with our players, will support Carnell in any way they can during this most difficult time,” Ohio State’s associate athletic director said in a statement.
An investigation into the fatal incident has since been launched, but no suspect has been arrested. Drive-by shootings are hardly the focus of discussions on gun violence in the U.S. but since 2013, there have been more than 700 drive-by mass shootings, according to the not-for-profit organization GVA.
