CJ Edwards, a 2018 graduate of Fairhope High School and former Pirate athlete, was shot and killed last weekend in Fairhope, the police department announced.

According to a post made on Sunday afternoon, the Fairhope Police Department received a call of shots fired at a party on Twin Beech Road at approximately 1 a.m. on June 11. Upon arrival, officers discovered that a male victim had been transported to Thomas Hospital by personal vehicle. The victim, identified as Cory Terrell Edwards Jr., 22, of Fairhope, was later pronounced deceased at USA Hospital in Mobile.

The department said it was still investigating the incident and to contact them with any additional info at (251) 928-2385.

Edwards played football and basketball for the Fairhope Pirates where he was named a second-team all-state wide receiver in 2017. He was also part of the inaugural Fairhope Storm football team in 2020 in the semi-professional American Football Alliance.

Storm Head Coach Fred Riley Jr. said it was the team’s mission to field some local players at its inception.

“CJ was a quick-smiling young man, very pleasant to be around. A fast-twitch athlete and for us, especially in the beginning, to have some guys that were from Fairhope proper, that had played at Fairhope High School, it (was huge),” Riley Jr. said Sunday. “It hits home because we live in Fairhope and know some of his family members also. And he’s the same age as my youngest son so those things hit home when it’s like that. We certainly mourn with the Fairhope community and his family.”

The Fairhope Football Pirate Nation Facebook page shared the news Saturday afternoon and a former teacher at Fairhope Kindergarten, Andrea Rhodes, posted a picture of Edwards in her class.

“Praying for you and the family, LaTonya. CJ will always be that sweet little kindergartner to me. I am sickened that this has happened. You will all be in my prayers,” Rhodes commented Saturday.

On the Fairhope Police Department’s Facebook post, Paula DiNardi commented Sunday, “Complete heartbreak for this young man…he had his whole life ahead of him & was raised right by good parents. I worked with his dad @ NFL back in the day. To call this a devastating tragedy is an understatement. God bless this family with comfort as they grieve their tremendous loss. So sorry.”

“Prayers for the family and especially his mom,” Susan Herrero McClellan commented Sunday. “This young man was one of the superstar football Fairhope pirates and this is such a loss. He was such an upbeat and personable young man who was always making everyone smile. My son and his other fellow teammates are heartbroken."