Kid athlete shot dead

A TEEN NFL star touted as the next big thing in the sport has been shot dead.

Eighth grader Jaylon McKenzie was shot at a party on Saturday night about 8km northeast of St Louis.

Police found McKenzie with serious wounds and confirmed he died in hospital. A girl, 15, was also hospitalised and is in a critical condition.

McKenzie drew national attention when he caught five passes for 161 yards and made two touchdowns at the NFL’s 8th Grade All-American Game in Canton, Ohio, in August.