Birmingham Mourns the Loss of a Bright Young Talent: Gerald Andre Lomax Jr.
Birmingham is reeling from the shocking and tragic loss of a promising young man, Gerald Andre Lomax Jr., affectionately known as G.A. The 17-year-old, a beloved senior at Jackson-Olin High School, died on Wednesday, November 13, just a day after an incident that no parent should ever have to face.
A Night That Changed Everything
On the night of the tragedy, Lomax attended a high school basketball game at Woodlawn High School, with a friend. The excitement and thrill of the game quickly turned into chaos as shots rang out just before 10 p.m. following a skirmish outside the arena. Witnesses reported that more than 50 shots were fired, leaving the community in disbelief.
According to his mother, Courtney Brown, G.A. had an eerie feeling at the game; he even stepped outside to sit in his friend’s car for a moment. Eventually, he chose to return to the game, but when he and his friend were leaving, they found themselves in the crosshairs of a mistaken confrontation. “They had mistaken them for some guys that they were into it with,” Brown said, recounting the anguish of the moment.
Heartbreak and Heavy Loss
In a desperate bid to protect his friend, G.A. urged him to leave, saying, “This is not what we do, let’s go.” But as they made their way to their vehicle, horror struck. Gunshots erupted, and G.A. was tragically shot three times—once in each arm and fatally in the back of the head. His brave friend drove them to safety while trying to come to terms with what was happening, only to realize that G.A. was unresponsive.
Heartbroken, Brown received the call around 11 p.m. from her sister, and raced back to Birmingham. She arrived at UAB Hospital around 4 a.m., where she was met with the devastating news that machines were keeping her son alive for her to say goodbye. “I laid there with my baby until he took his last breath…” she expressed through tears. “He was so sweet, and he didn’t mess with anybody.”
A Star on the Rise
G.A. was not just a victim of violence but rather a shining star with a bright future ahead of him. Excelling in academics and athletics, he played football and basketball while maintaining impressive grades in school. His coaches and friends note that he cost his way to success, driven by the desire to provide for himself and his family. “These past couple of years, G.A. has been doing amazing in school, playing sports, and working,” Brown proudly shared.
A Mother’s Pain and a Message of Peace
The sorrow is palpable not only for Brown but for everyone who had the pleasure of knowing G.A. Known for his radiant personality, those who met him described him as “sunshine in a dark room.” Brown wants her son’s legacy to be one of peace, emphasizing, “He never liked confrontation. He loved everybody.”
The community is left to grapple with the tragic reality of gun violence that has crept into neighborhoods that once felt safe. “Every time there was another killing, I would say, ‘It’s getting so close. It’s getting closer and closer to home.’ When I got that call… I can’t make sense of it,” Brown lamented.
Remembering a Bright Future
As the investigation unfolds, G.A.’s mother hopes for change in the community, reflecting on how she moved to Tennessee to provide a safer environment for her children. “I remember being able to leave the door unlocked and feel safe,” she sighed, wishing for those simpler times.
With plans for higher education and dreams of studying communications, G.A.’s story is a reminder of the fragility of life. “He wanted to make us proud,” Brown said. It’s time for communities to rally together to create the kind of positive change G.A. would have championed himself. Let’s honor his memory not with grief but with a commitment to peace and unity.
