West Catholic Grad Among Those Killed In Orlando Shooting
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Orlando massacre has touched the lives of a local family. A recent West Catholic graduate is among the victims.
Eighteen-year-old Akyra Murray, of West Philadelphia, died in the mass shooting.
Her father, Albert Murray, says the FBI confirmed that his daughter was among the victims.
"I've cried so much I don't think I can cry no more."
He says his entire family had traveled to Orlando on Friday for vacation and that his daughter, his niece and a friend went to Pulse Nightclub Saturday night.
Hours later he got a horrific call.
"She was screaming and said, 'Daddy, I'm bleeding. I've been shot, come get me.'"
He never saw her that night.
Akyra Murray graduated from West Catholic Prep High School last week and was a star player on the Burr's girl basketball team.
Rest in Peace to Akyra Murray '16, who was a victim in the mass shooting in Orlando. https://t.co/hdoJ6PXF9c pic.twitter.com/NDrjCWFJtO
— West Catholic Prep (@WCPrep) June 13, 2016
She scored 1,000 points and gained multiple All-Catholic Honors.
She was headed to Mercyhurst in the fall on full athletic scholarship, but now the community is mourning.
West Catholic wrote on the school's website: "West Catholic Prep is terribly saddened to report that Akyra Murray '16 has been confirmed as a victim in the mass shooting in Orlando this weekend. A recent graduate, Akyra was a superstar who was a leader amongst her classmates and teammates. She was a solid student in the classroom and a 1,000 point scorer on the Lady Burrs basketball team, and recently signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Mercyhurst College next year. May God bless Akyra's soul and provide comfort to all family and friends during this very troubling time."
Officials believe Omar Mateen acted alone when he killed forty-nine people died and injured dozens more in the shooting.
