Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies are investigating an incident that began with a verbal altercation April 15 at a Mobil gas station in Brandon and ended with a fatal shooting.
- Grover Wills, 18, died at local hospital
- Investigators in contact with other party involved in altercation
- Crime believed to be drug-related
Investigators said around 7:50 p.m. Grover Wills, 18, traveled with an associate to the Mobil station at 612 Lumsden Road. Upon arrival, Wills got out of the car and met with another man, and a fight broke out between them.
During the altercation, Wills was shot. He ran back to the vehicle he arrived in, and his associate drove him to a local hospital, where he later died.
Wills, a senior at Durant High School, was set to graduate next month. He played cornerback and free safety for the Durant Cougars.
His mother, Tywonsly Kearney, said athletic departments from two colleges had expressed interest in her son.
"It's senseless," said Kearney. "He was a very vibrant kid, respectful. He was the life of the party and very popular."
"Up all night, I can’t sleep," said Kearney, sobbing. "I’ve been asking God, 'Why why why? What are you trying to tell me?' I have no idea."
Homicide detectives interviewed the shooter in the presence of his attorney Monday afternoon. He was not arrested, and investigators are still trying to determine whether the shooting was committed in self-defense.
Preliminary details point to the incident being drug-related.