A 21-year-old athlete from an HBCU was killed in a shooting at a nightclub in Atlanta.

Tragedy struck the Albany State University community on May 12 when 21-year-old sophomore, Mariam Creighton, lost her life during a shootout at a nightclub in Atlanta. It was reported that Creighton, who hailed from Stockbridge, Georgia, was at the Elleven45 Lounge with 20-year-old Nakyris M. Ridley when the incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. A fight had broken out inside the club and an unidentified gunman began shooting, injuring four others in addition to taking Creighton's life.

John Holladay, Creighton's former coach at Stockbridge High School, spoke highly of her character, saying, "Mari was just an amazing young lady who will be deeply missed." Her sudden passing has left the entire Albany State community in shock. Creighton had transferred to the university from Benedict College, another HBCU, and had played in 7 matches, recording 5 digs and 1 assist.

The club where the tragic event took place, Elleven45, released a statement expressing their condolences and announcing their temporary closure in order to fully cooperate with local law enforcement and conduct a thorough investigation. They emphasized the safety and well-being of their patrons and staff as their top priority.

Dr. Kristene Kelly, Albany State's director of athletics, also shared her grief over Creighton's death, calling her a "beautiful soul" and acknowledging the impact her loss has had on the RAMily (Albany State's community). She extended her thoughts and prayers to Creighton's loved ones during this difficult time.

Sadly, this incident sheds light on the ongoing issue of gun violence in cities like Atlanta. Atlanta Fox 5 reported that gang violence is a major problem in the Fulton County area, where Elleven45 is located. In response to this, Atlanta Police chief Darin Schierbaum stated that they have been actively fighting against gang activity in the region due to its connection to crimes such as human trafficking, drug dealing, gun running, and robberies.

This heartbreaking news serves as a reminder of the dangers that come with gun violence and the importance of addressing and preventing it in our communities. Just recently, a student from Howard University also lost their life in a tragic on-campus car crash. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by these devastating events.

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