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Shooting victim was high school basketball star who ‘looked out for others’

Posted at 3:32 PM, May 15, 2014
and last updated 2014-05-15 19:25:51-04

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - The man who was shot and killed outside a Chesterfield apartment Thursday morning was a former high school basketball star who went on to play in college.

Police identified the victim as 23-year-old David Emmanuel-Sinclair Copeland of Meadowdale Boulevard.

Copeland was Chesterfield Community High School's all-time leading scorer in basketball when he graduated in 2009, according to his former coach Toby Campbell.

Campbell described Copeland as the most decorated student athlete.  Just a caring person, who was known to have a great sense of humor.

"[He] always looked out for others," Copeland told CBS 6 reporter Sandra Jones. "[He] was very competitive on the court."

Copeland went on to play basketball at Grambling State University. The university's website indicated Copeland last played for Grambling during the 2011-2012 season.

His former coach said Copeland sat this year out to spend time with his family working at Comcast and had planned to transfer to another school.

Until this unfortunate situation unfolded at this apartment complex that has many neighbors asking why.

"We don't even know what the motivation is. Let the Chesterfield police do their job," said Darrel Washington, concerned neighbor.

“At about 12:43 a.m. today, police responded to the 3300 block of Meadowdale Boulevard for a report of multiple shots fired,” police said via email. “Upon arrival, police located two adult male shooting victims.”

Copeland died at the scene. A second victim was taken to VCU Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries, police said.

"I was just laying in my bed. And then I just heard like seven, eight, ten gunshots go off," said Kubosh Washington.

Kubosh Washington told CBS 6, he heard the commotion outside of his front door.

"I'm like who's out here shooting in Chesterfield," said Washington.

According to police - the shooting followed an altercation in the parking lot at the complex. But they wouldn't go into details.

Police are looking for multiple suspects. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660.