Baylor Football’s Alex Foster, 18, Killed in Greenville Shooting Amid Crime Surge

In a tragic turn of events, Baylor University freshman football player Alex Foster, an 18-year-old defensive lineman, was fatally shot in his hometown of Greenville, Mississippi, early Wednesday morning. Found inside a car with multiple gunshot wounds, Foster succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital, leaving the Baylor community and his loved ones in profound grief.

Greenville police responded to reports of a shooting in a mixed residential and commercial area just after midnight, according to Major Misty Mew. The Washington County Coroner’s Office later confirmed Foster’s identity. This devastating incident comes amid a troubling surge in violent crime in Greenville, prompting Mayor Errick D. Simmons to announce an immediate citywide curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. until further notice. Simmons emphasized the measure aims to protect residents, stating, "This is about saving lives."

Baylor’s Vice President and Director of Athletics Mack B. Rhoades, IV, and head football coach Dave Aranda expressed their heartbreak in a joint statement: "Alex was a beloved teammate and friend, a cherished part of the Baylor Family. His memory will forever live on." Aranda, in a separate post on X, added, "Alex’s impact on our program was profound, and we are devastated."

Foster, a top-20 prospect from Mississippi and the nation’s 69th-ranked defensive lineman, joined Baylor in 2024 but redshirted his freshman year, seeing no game action. His potential, however, was undeniable, and his loss reverberates beyond the field.

As Greenville grapples with this wave of violence, the tragedy underscores deeper challenges in the community. Yet, in the face of sorrow, the Baylor community draws strength from unity and faith, rallying to support Foster’s family and teammates.