‘Everybody’s protector:’ Girlfriend, sister of murdered football player say they want answers

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Two teenagers accused of murdering a high school football star in Gwinnett County are expected to arrive back in Georgia Monday.

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Elijah DeWitt was shot and killed outside the Dave & Buster’s at Sugarloaf Mill mall last week.

The 18-year-old was a star player at Jefferson High School in Jackson County and had been enjoying his fall break with family and friends when he was killed.

Two Gwinnett County teenagers, Kemare Bryan and Chandler Richardson, were arrested days later in South Carolina.

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Channel 2′s Matt Johnson was in Gwinnett County Monday, where DeWitt’s family is hoping to get more answers.

DeWitt’s parents told Johnson that Elijah was definitely not friends with Bryan and Richardson, despite earlier reports from police that the three were likely known to each other.

Elijah DeWitt’s sister, Delaney DeWitt, said she’s mourned him every day since his murder. She said a vigil for her brother helped the family start the process of trying to heal and move forward.

“Elijah wouldn’t want me to just sit around and cry,” Delaney DeWitt said. “I know, that’s what Elijah would want. He would want us to keep our heads up and just come together as people. We’re not going to just sit around and give up.”

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DeWitt’s girlfriend, Bailey Reidling, said DeWitt was a protector in his family.

“I just want everybody to know that he was just very kind and gentle at heart. He was really everybody’s protector,” Reidling said. “I love how you protected Delaney. And that’s why I thought a lot of him.”

Bryan and Richardson were both charged with murder. Police have not released a motive in the shooting but said it stemmed from a fight in the parking lot.

DeWitt’s family is waiting for answers.

“He’s just going to be in the back of my brain, saying, ‘You got this. Keep going, give 100%,’” Delaney Dewitt said.

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