Teammates mourn player’s death
Victorville honor roll student and football star, who was 17, was found shot to death.
A football player for Victorville’s Silverado High School was found shot to death last week, authorities said, leaving his teammates and the campus in shock.
Shortly after 11 p.m. Oct. 30, deputies found 17-yearold Richard Reed lying in a street with a gunshot wound, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff ’s Department. Medical personnel declared him dead at the scene, near the intersection of La Mesa and Jade roads in Victorville.
Richard was a standout player for the Hawks football team, the Victor Valley Union High School District said in a statement.
His teammates and family held a private vigil Oct. 31 after that evening’s practice was canceled, according to the statement.
“Some of the players are still taking it rough,” Silverado head coach Keron Jones said.
“We’ll gather the team together after school just to allow them some time to grieve together amongst themselves. I told the coaches we would let everything happen organically. … We will try to let everything move at their pace. They were running around throwing the ball after school. So I think once they are back in the element of football, it will help them to cope.”
Richard was an honor roll student and was named Desert Sky League defensive player of the year for 2021-22, according to the district. He played linebacker, running back and punter.
Jones said the senior was “one of only a handful of kids” he could remember who started all four seasons at the varsity level.
“He was that good,” the coach said. “His energy was infectious. He was so respected by his teammates.”
School officials are offering grief counseling for students and staff.
“Some of his closest teammates have been inconsolable,” said Principal Heather Conkle.
Silverado players donned helmet stickers in Richard’s honor during their firstround playoff game Friday night, a 48-20 loss to St. Francis.
Players from St. Francis, a private school from La Cañada-Flintridge, also wore helmet stickers in Richard’s memory.
Players from district rival Victor Valley High School also donned the helmet stickers for their playoff game Friday, a 3-0 loss to Santa Ana Valley High.
Anyone with information on Richard’s shooting death is asked to call the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Detail at (909) 890-4908.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to the We-Tip Hotline at (800) 782-7463 or by visiting www.wetip.com.