Tragedy struck the family of a Bulls basketball player early Tuesday when Darinell Young, the father of UB sophomore Darwin Young, was shot and killed in the crossfire of gang violence on the West Side of Buffalo.
According to The Buffalo News, the elder Young, 45, was killed at around 12:25 a.m. as he returned home from picking up a late-night snack for his pregnant girlfriend. Young was caught in a spray of bullets from a gang shooting just outside of his Pennsylvania Avenue home.
Police believe the deadly incident was between rivals 1015 and the 7th Street gang. Also killed in the shooting was 16-year-old Bennett High School student Brandon MacDonald. Three other unnamed individuals suffered apparently non-fatal gunshot wounds.
Darwin, a guard who made coach Reggie Witherspoon's team as a walk-on, was unavailable for comment Thursday as he helped his family prepare funeral arrangements.
On Wednesday he told The Buffalo News he is doing what he can to provide support for his family, which includes his 18-month-old daughter.
"It hurts," Young told The News. "I'm just trying to stay strong for my daughter, my mom and my little brothers."
Young also added that despite he sudden tragedy, he plans to finish out the semester.
"My dad would want me to finish," he said. "He was a loving person who was proud of his boys and wanted us to succeed in all we could."
Up until a few weeks ago, Darinell and his girlfriend lived on the East Side of the city, but he decided recently to move to the West Side because he felt it was safer.
His funeral is scheduled for Saturday.
Homicide investigators, who believe there were four to six gunmen, said they need to public's help to catch the killers. Those with tips are urged to call 851-4466.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
