A HIGH school football star was killed while he was shielding his group during a shooting that erupted at a festival.
Bryce Gerlach, a senior, died after a bust-up between two groups escalated at a homecoming event in New Albany, Indiana, on Saturday.
Gerlach, 18, died at the scene while Brendan Hagan, 22, and woman, 44, were rushed to the hospital, as reported by the NBC affiliate WAVE-TV.
Shots were fired at the Harvest Homecoming as an argument between two groups turned violent.
Cops believe Gerlach and the two injured people simply just got caught up in the incident as it unfolded.
His family said the teen was the victim of a “senseless crime,” according to his obituary.
Cops revealed they were hunting for men thought to be in their 20s.
One of the men was sporting a red hoodie and had dreadlocks, according to police.
Gerlach’s pals have told how the football star shielded members of his group.
“It was very selfless what he did, and I’m thankful he went out in such a heroic way, so that’s how people remember him because that’s what he was,” Tanner Chumbly, a friend, told WAVE.
“He was a hero.”
Meanwhile, Trent Clark, who played with Gerlach’s younger brother, described the football player as a humble guy.
Gerlach played football for Corydon Central High School, and his coach led the tributes.
Luke Keller hailed the star’s leadership qualities, as reported by the Louisville Courier-Journal.
Gerlach was a versatile athlete and played different positions, including kicker and punter.
Footage shared on social media showed Gerlach in action in what turned out to be his final football game.
Keller revealed the senior had plans to continue playing the game at college.
Gerlach also had a passion for soccer and enjoyed being the goalkeeper, per the obit.
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He also wanted to follow in his sister’s footsteps, who played sports while in college.
Away from the sports field, Gerlach enjoyed driving in his blue truck and socializing with friends and family.
Tributes have been paid online to the high schooler.
Elementary school teacher Shellie Zabel described Gerlach as a “special kid.”
“He had a passion for soccer and living life to the fullest,” she wrote in a Facebook post.
“Bryce taught me a lot as a teacher as all of my current and past students do.”
She recalled that the sports-mad child used to read football magazines in her class.
“I told him I didn’t care because I just wanted him to learn to love to read,” she wrote.
Students at Corydon Central High left flowers where Gerlach used to park his car.
Almost 2,000 people attended a vigil in the football star’s honor.
The Corydon football team will take to the field on Friday, and fans have been asked to wear blue, Gerlach’s favorite color.
