‘Coach Ball,’ beloved Atlanta youth football mentor, shot and killed

ATLANTA - A beloved youth football coach in Atlanta was shot and killed Thursday afternoon inside a townhome off Skylar Way, leaving a community in shock and mourning.

Shooting at Skylar at Hill Street community

What we know:

Officers responded just after 2:30 p.m. to the Skylar at Hill Street community located along Skylar Way SE. 

According to the Atlanta Police Department, officers found a 33-year-old man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound inside one of the units. 

Medics arrived at the scene and pronounced him dead. 

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Police say they are reviewing persons of interest but have not named any suspects.

Family members at the scene identified the victim as Aaron Hines, known affectionately as "Coach Ball" by the players he mentored.

Who is Coach Ball?

Dig deeper:

Aaron Hines was a coach for the Georgia Rattlers youth football team, working with 10- and 11-year-old boys at Washington Park. The team was preparing for practice Thursday evening when they learned of his death.

Aaron Hines remembered by cousin

What they're saying:

"Finally I reached out to one of the coaches, and when I found out that it’s true I’m devastated, devastated. It’s devastation, that’s it," said Lolitha Perry, the mother of one of Hines’ players.

Hines’ cousin, who asked not to be named, described him as a vital figure in the West Atlanta community. "There’s a lot of heartbroken people here. He was a great man," she said. "I loved him very deeply. The City of Atlanta loved him very deeply. He was a father figure to many young men in this city."

Perry echoed those sentiments, saying Hines wasn’t just a coach but a mentor and role model. "He had a big impact on this community and with these children and with their families. He was the coach you’d call if your child was acting up in school. He was the coach you call if your son wasn’t listening to you," she said.

"This is a major loss. What can I say?" his cousin said, holding back tears. "What can I say other than… what can I say?"

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Skylar way shooting investigation

What we don't know:

Investigators said he was not alone at the time, but did not offer further explanation. 

Police said they are looking into a person of interest, but would not elaborate. 

The name of the man has not been released, and there is no word on a shooter or shooters. 

The APD's Homicide Unit is investigating.

What's next:

A vigil is being planned next week in honor of Hines.

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