High School Football Star Charged With Murder of Teammate Twin Brother

A star football player at a high school in Philadelphia is facing a murder charge after he shot and killed his own twin brother and teammate.

NBC News reports that Philadelphia police responded to a call about a person with a gun Sunday evening (Dec. 1) and found that 18-year-old Suhail Gillard had been shot once in the chest.

Investigators said Suhail and his twin brother, Fayaadh Gillard, were playing with a gun in their father’s apartment when it accidentally went off.

Suhail was taken to a hospital and was pronounced dead about hours later, according to NBC 10 Philadelphia. Officials said a weapon was recovered at the scene.

The very next day, Fayaadh Gillard was arrested and charged with murder, possession of a weapon, lying to police and obstruction of justice.

Sources close to the situation told NBC10 that Fayaadh originally told police his brother was shot by someone else at a store.

The brothers were both seniors at Mastery Charter North High School and were also teammates on the school’s football team. They’d both recently received first-team All-Public League honors.

School officials said Suhail Gillard was a three-time All-Public League running back and several colleges were looking to recruit him.

“It’s a tragedy. To come back from the Thanksgiving break and find this out, we’re all just shocked and devastated,” Mastery spokeswoman Rae Oglesby said. “Our prayers are with his family and his teammates.”

Mastery’s defensive line coach said in a statement via Twitter: “It’s with grieving hearts that we inform you of the untimely passing of our beloved brother, Suhail Gillard. He was the most respected and hardest worker Mastery ever had the honor and privilege to put a jersey on. Rest well.”

It’s with grieving hearts that we inform you of the untimely passing of our beloved brother, Suhail Gillard. He was the most respected and hardest worker Mastery ever had the honor and privilege to put a jersey on. Rest well #Agent4? 4ever. pic.twitter.com/GYsAxZ3PHH

— Coach Mickey Grace (@Mickelod3on) December 2, 2019